History of The South Bay Community Concert Association

During the 1920’s the concept of providing great music to communities where none was available originated in Battle Creek, Michigan.  On a shoe string budget that city devised a method to provide affordable concerts. In the 1930’s, Columbia Artists, an artists management firm, created Community Concerts as a nationwide organization through which lead artists could be booked without financial risks. The new concert plan was revolutionary.

In 1968 the South Bay Community Concert Association was organized under Columbia Artists as a permanent concert association based on a nonprofit basis with volunteers serving as officers and workers. Each year an intensive campaign is held to raise money before engaging artists within the limits of the budget made available. No admissions are sold at the door to individual concerts.  Patrons are members of the association and entitled to attend concerts during the next year. All concerts are held at Redondo Union High School in the Earl Brown Auditorium located in Redondo Beach, California. The auditorium was named after Dr. Earl Brown, one of the early presidents of the South Bay Community Concerts.

Al Lukes was the first president of the South Bay Community Concert Association. Dr. Earl Brown and Norman Neblett were among the early presidents. The current President is Dick Johnson.

In 2002 Columbia Artist sold Community Concerts and the South Bay Community Concert Association has been working independently with artists, artist management groups and Community Concert groups to provide a greater selection of artist.

The more than 80 volunteers who give time and effort to bring these fine concerts to our area feel privileged. Many who would not be able to hear high quality concerts can purchase memberships at low cost and enjoy great music in their community. Membership includes admittance to five or six concerts a year, and, in addition the members can attend Community Concerts held in reciprocating communities. Memberships are usually sold out early and a waiting list is maintained by the Association.