Concert series gets late start, but features powerful lineup

The Globe Miami Community Concert Association (GMCCA) season is underway. The second of six performances will take place on December 7, when the Diamonds will take the stage for a holiday show that will include music from the 1950s and beyond.

The remainder of the series, which concludes on March 6 with the eclectic sounds of classical trio Take3, features a wide range of musical styles that will appeal to music fans of all ages.

“We don’t have any low points this year: They’re all good,” says GMCCA President Sue Jones. “It’s going to be quite a season and I think our audience is going to be really, really excited.”

In addition to the Diamonds and Take3, this year’s season will feature Jason Lyle Black on piano; American Made: The Presidio Boys, and returning favorites Clara Hurtado Lee, Isaac Hurtado and Jeffrey Price.

This is the 68th season for GMCCA, an organization that seeks to bring live music to a remote region of the state that would not normally have access to nationally recognized talent.

The GMCCA began in 1945 and operated through 1971, when the organization entered eight years of inertia. In 1979, sufficient interest reanimated the series with a four-concert season from 1980 to 1981.

The music continued uninterrupted until a brief COVID-related pause torpedoed two seasons, and began again last year. The Community Concert Series now enters its second return season with a full head of steam and amazing talent.

The quality of GMCCA’s acts reflects the work and dedication of the 20-member board, which was helped by an investment by the United Fund of Globe-Miami and generous donations from businesses and individuals across the community.

The community concert concept began with the founding of the National Community Concert Association in Chicago in 1920, and by 1950 there were more than 1,000 member organizations nationally. From its foundation through 2001, the NCCA helped recruit talent that fell within each association’s budget.

However, after the dissolution of the national organization, individual associations were forced to find their own performers. 

For several years, the talent search was partially offset by the existence of the Arizona Humanities Commission, which offered a roster of affordable performers. But that resource also disappeared, so now, in addition to keeping the GMCCA afloat, the organization’s board must research and find its own talent every year.

“I spend lots and lots of time on the computer,” Jones says. “I used to look at places in Phoenix but finally figured out Tucson is a better place to look. But the sad and difficult thing is that since COVID, most performers have doubled or tripled their prices, and it’s been scary for us.”

As an organization that largely depends on member participation for its financial health—last season saw 343 members signing up, while this year there have been less than 250—GMCCA needs the community’s support to continue.

In addition to providing quality entertainment to the public, the GMCCA also offers complimentary tickets and outreach to local schools and nursing homes.

While this year’s music skews toward the Baby Boom generation, Robin Wurst, board member and membership chairperson, says that in the future, they would like to add some World Music and other alternatives to the menu.

“Currently, most of our membership is probably over 50 although we would like to appeal to younger people and families,” Wurst says. “Although we do have a few young families who want their children to hear a variety of musical genres.”

The membership cost for all remaining concerts is $50 for adults, $10 for students, $100 for a two-parent family, and $60 for a single-parent family.

Memberships include two guest passes to share with others and the opportunity to bring out-of-town guests to concerts for free.

All concerts occur at 7 p.m. at High Desert Middle School, 4000 High Desert Dr. in Globe.

For more information contact Robin at 928-200-1757 or Sue at 928-425-9236 or email globemiamiconcerts@gmail.com. There is also a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/globemiamiconcerts and a website at globemiamiconcerts.wordpress.com.

This season’s schedule:

• The Diamonds – Thursday, December 7, 2023 (the REAL Diamonds whose gold records include Silhouettes, The Stroll, and Little Darlin’)
• Jason Lyle Black – Thursday, January 11, 2024 (a lighthearted, fast-paced journey through numerous piano styles)
• American Made: The Presidio Boys – Saturday, February 3, 2024 (the music of the Oak Ridge Boys, Statler Brothers, and more)
• TAKE3 – Wednesday, March 6, 2024 (Rock meets Bach; pop hits, Americana, signature classical mashups)
• Clara Hurtado Lee, Isaac Hurtado, Jeffrey Price – Tuesday, April 9, 2024 (classically trained soprano, tenor, and pianist showcase a variety of styles)