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About Us
Our Organization
Kokomo Community Concerts is a non-profit organization that has been bringing world class entertainment to the community since 1957. This season we will be hosting five shows with diverse acts from around the world. Check out our Shows Page to see performance information.
Notable past performances include the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Dallas Brass, David Osborne, Sons of Serendip, and Veritas. We’ve also hosted tribute bands and artists, symphony orchestras, spectacular Broadway reviews, and much more!
It is our mission to enrich our community through the live performing arts. Our organization works with the Kokomo School Corporation each year to provide performance and outreach concerts to students of Kokomo and Howard County area schools. To schedule an outreach concert field trip for your students, please contact us for more information.
We thank all of our area businesses and community members who donate funds to support our organization!
Media inquiries can be answered by our Publicity Chair:
Mary Rusch – (765) 453-0818
publicity@kokomocommunityconcerts.org
Organization History
Kokomo held its first Community Concert series in 1957-58. In the early years, only two concerts would be announced. For example, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and noted singer Dorothy Maynor appeared for a season in the early 60s. Season memberships were sold, and two other concerts were then added on the basis of the total pre-season sales. Season tickets for adults were $10; tickets for individual concerts were not available.
The early history is rather hazy. Several prominent citizens took the initiative to contact the Community Concert Association in New York and establish the Association in Kokomo. Of the original founders, Mrs. Ruthmarie Owen was one of the longest-serving members of the Board, and Dr. Frank Stein served from the mid-60s through 2014. Hundreds of local citizens have held positions on the Board over the years to make KCC what it is today: Kokomo’s best offering for international music!
The concerts were initially held in the old downtown high school, with occasional performances at Grace Methodist Church. When IUK moved to its present campus, concerts were scheduled in the 900-seat Havens Auditorium. Later, after Haworth High School was built, the concerts were shifted to the larger, 1100-seat school auditorium. This auditorium, in the building renamed Kokomo High School, remains the venue for our concerts today.
Throughout its local history, KCC has presented hundreds of fine concerts featuring national and international stars and ensembles, including such notables as the St. Petersburg Ballet, Pavlo, the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats, Ferrante and Teicher, the Joffrey ll Ballet, the New Christy Minstrels, and Troupe Vertigo, just to name a few. Our current practice is to announce the entire series in advance, for a season ticket price of $60. ln addition to season memberships, we invite the general public to attend any individual concert for $25.
The generosity of Kokomo High School and other public-spirited citizens/patrons has enabled our outstanding seasons to still be offered to all local music lovers at a low cost for the entire season. Attendance now far surpasses the early years, and while some attractions are bigger names than others, our mission remains constant. We bring world class family entertainment at an affordable price.