A Des Moines centennial worth celebrating
This bedrock cultural institution in our capital city has endured for 100 years—and defied national trends for the second half of its lifespan.
Any journalist, writer, or artist who hones their craft for decades eventually comes to realize that collaborating with longtime friends is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend time in the creative trenches.
At least that has been true for me as I experiment here on Substack and pursue the occasional freelance gig with publications such as dsm Magazine. My friend, former Des Moines Register colleague, and frequent fellow RAGBRAI bicyclist Michael Morain is editor of dsm. When he offered the chance to trace the history of the Civic Music Association of Des Moines (CMA), it was an easy decision to take the assignment.
I was able to learn more about an organization I had gotten to know and appreciate by attending some of its remarkable concerts. But I never had taken the time to understand in detail how CMA was ahead of the curve nationally in the 1920s in supporting live music in this way. Or how it remains an outlier today by bringing virtuosos such as Yo-Yo Ma to Des Moines after so many cities have seen similar groups fade away.
Read the full article on the dsm website: “100 years of music: The Civic Music Association celebrates its first century.”
Meanwhile, here’s a little more context on how CMA fits into the broad sweep of American cultural history:
Civic music associations in 20th century America
Early 1900s: Civic music associations emerged to promote classical music appreciation beyond coastal cultural hubs. Modeled after European traditions, they organized concerts and performances to educate and uplift communities, particularly in smaller and Midwestern cities.
1920s–1940s (growth period): These associations rapidly expanded due to:
Increased public demand for affordable cultural access.
Influential organizations like the Civic Music Association of America (founded 1927), which coordinated concert series nationwide, often through subscription models.
1950s–1970s (peak popularity): Civic associations flourished, bringing prominent artists—previously reserved for major cities—to smaller communities. These groups nurtured local artistic talent, promoted music education, and contributed significantly to community identity and pride.
1980s–1990s (decline and adaptation): Funding cuts, changing tastes, and increased media access challenged civic associations, leading to declining memberships. Many adapted by broadening programming, incorporating diverse genres, and strengthening educational initiatives.
Legacy: Today, civic music associations endure as community-driven organizations, often collaborating with local arts councils, continuing their century-long mission of making classical music accessible nationwide.
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