Warren Civic Music Association

Making Music for 72 Years

Warren Civic Music Association, located in Warren, Ohio, was founded in 1940, and is the oldest community arts organization in Trumbull County.

The goal of Warren Civic Music is to provide quality entertainment, at affordable ticket prices, to residents of the community and surrounding areas and the opportunity to enrich their lives by enjoying a variety of musical genres.

In the early years, concerts were held in the Konold Auditorium of Warren G. Harding High School.

The concerts moved to the new Packard Music Hall for the 1955-56 season and has called PMH “home” ever since.

Early ticket sales were solicited through a six-week campaign and were available only during that six-week period.

Ezio Pinza, Metropolitan Opera Company baritone, performed the first year. In 1949, he became the star of Broadway’s Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific.”

Isaac Stern, violinist, played the first half of his 1949 concert without an accompanist.   The accompanist refused to fly with Mr. Stern and drove to Warren instead.  He did not arrive until intermission.

Receptions after the concerts were held in private homes to honor the performers in the early days of WCMA where tuxedos and formal dress were the norm.

After the concerts were moved to the new location, receptions were held in the hospitality rooms of the Packard Music Hall. Receptions no longer take place, but performers often greet attendees and sign autographs after the performances.

Many musical greats of the world have appeared on the stage in a variety of programs. Early performers included:  Jerome Hines, Roberta Peters, Roger Williams, Peter Nero, Guy Lombardo, Woody Herman, Ferrante & Teicher, New Christy Minstrels, The Ohio State University Band, Vienna Boys Choir, Fred Waring, Warren’s own Irene Oliver, Gene Krupa Orchestra, Broadway plays, as well as ballets performed by various companies from the United States and other countries.  More recently performers have included America’s Got Talent finalists, The Texas Tenors; Debby Boone, The Diamonds,  Oak Ridge Boys, and numerous other talented artists.

The continuation of Warren Civic Music for 72 years is a testimonial to the endless hours devoted by enthusiastic volunteers, along with the overwhelming interest of our many subscribers and generous support of benefactors and patrons throughout the years.