70 years ago, a group of local citizens with much vision, energy, and courage signed an agreement with COLUMBIA ARTISTS MANAGEMENT to bring audiences and artists together in the then small town of McAllen, Texas. This was the birth of the McAllen Community Concert Association - May 12, 1954. No one could possibly have known the success this group would enjoy with thousands of people attending nearly 300 performances.
Four days after that momentous contract signing, another meeting was held to elect officers and make plans for the Association's first membership drive. Mr. Alex Sidelnik and Mr. Conan Wood were elected President and Vice-President of the organization. These gentlemen were a driving force during those early days.
During the past 70 years, the Association has presented a variety of entertainment for our members from the classics to opera, jazz to musical theater. Such fledgling artists as Beverly Sills and Van Cliburn performed in McAllen before becoming much sought-after artists. Great performances have been given by the Robert Shaw Chorale, Jorge Bolet, the Vienna Boys Choir, and Robert Merrill to mention just a few.
The McAllen Community Concert Association is a non-profit organization comprised of a 40 member board and an active membership that has filled our auditorium to "sold-out" status for many years. We look forward to bringing many more years of fine entertainment to our audiences in the McAllen Performing Arts Center,
"To provide quality entertainment at affordable prices" . . . this is the foundation of the organization now in the year 2024 just as it was in 1954.