The Gaston Concert Association - Over 50 Years of Performances

by: Carolyn Spencer

Board Member, Gaston Concert Association

Gaston Concert Association , a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Gaston County. 

The Boston Pops with Arthur Fiedler, Broadway's "1776," William Warfield, the Roger Wagner Chorale, the Norman Luboff Choir, the Pittsburg Symphony, Montavanni, the Vienna Boy's Choir, the Ink Spots, the Temptations, the Limeliters, the Glenn Miller Orchestra...what a stellar line-up! And they have all performed in Gastonia under the auspices of the Gaston Concert Association.

For over 50 years the Gaston Concert Association has sponsored outstanding musical performances that have enhanced the area's cultural life and provided entertainment for both children and adults. From the classics to pop to folk music to doo wop, the Association continues to bring exciting artists to the Gaston County community.

Gaston Concert Association currently offers an affordable, high-quality subscription series of four concerts with additional concerts for Gaston County school children. Each year the Association arranges for one of the series artists to present an educational concert for all fifth grade students.

Also, the Association is often able to provide concerts for middle and high school students. This season, Mac Frampton, nationally-acclaimed pianist gave a concert for Holbrook Middle School students. In March, the Dallas Brass will bring their high-energy show to teach and entertain all 2,700 Gaston County fifth graders. Then the Brass will rehearse with 100 top high school band students. These students and their directors will join the Brass in a medley for the series concert's spectacular finale.

Gaston Concert Association is able to secure superior artists each year through the generous help of benefactors, sponsors and patrons (all listed in the concert programs) and membership ticket sales. In addition, the Association receives exceptional support from the United Arts Council of Gaston County.

As an affiliate of the Arts Council, Gaston Concert Association has reached a new level in its capacity to keep the arts alive and growing in Gaston County. Workshops provided by the Council have re-energized the Associations' volunteers and helped spark tremendous growth in memberships. Operational and grassroots grants from the Council have enabled the Association to handle ever-rising production costs and artists' fees.

Sharon Smith, a former president of the Concert Association who worked closely with the Arts Council in the developing years of the groups' affiliation, says of the Arts Council's support:

"During our rebuilding years in the late '90s, the Arts Council was instrumental in bringing the Charlotte Symphony for Pops in the Park in Gaston County. They intentionally involved the Concert Association in the planning, grant pursuit and the performance. This gave the Association widespread publicity with a very popular event. The council also involved the Concert Association in the preparatory activities leading to the use of the former First Baptist Church as a central home for the arts. This facility offers the Concert Association a meeting place, a location for some events and a storage area for records. This process is an excellent example of collaboration between the arts groups, the religious community and civic leadership."

Affiliation with the Arts Council has indeed been fortuitous for the Concert Association, and members of the Associations' board for directors, in turn, support the Arts Council by assisting with various activities and contributing to the Council's annual United Arts Fund Drive.

With the Arts Council's support and with the diligent efforts of volunteers, contributors, and members, Gaston Concert Association will continue to be a vital force for the arts in Gaston County.

Caroline Spencer is a member and former president of the Gaston Concert Association. For more information on the Concert Association call her at 804-867-7166.