Charleston Concert Association

History

Established in 1936 as a not-for-profit organization, the Charleston Concert Association is the Lowcountry’s oldest and only year-round presenting organization.

Through the support of corporate and individual sponsors, patrons and season ticket holders, the CCA produces a program schedule that presents world-class artists to the Charleston area.

The first concert series in the colonies presented in Charleston in 1741 can be considered an honorable ancestor of the CCA. As part of the Bicentennial Celebration in 1976, the CCA reproduced one of those very early concerts at the Dock Street Theater.

At this event, Charleston was first introduced to the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center – and Charles Wadsworth, who until this year led the enormously popular Spoleto Festival Chamber Music Series.

Since it’s conception, The Charleston Concert Association has grown into a significant and highly valued participant in the local arts calendar. Having earned a reputation for excellence, the CCA now hosts the world’s foremost masters in the performing arts including the Bolshoi Ballet, Israel Philharmonic, Leontyne Price, Christopher Hogwood, Yo Yo Ma, Luciano Pavarotti, and Sir Yehudi Menuhin among many others.

Now in its 75th year, the CCA is always reinventing itself, expanding its scope to include contemporary music and dance – with emphasis on attracting a younger audience. What began as an intimate musical society in the home of Mrs. Martha Laurens Patterson over seventy years ago, has now grown into one of the most popular and successful arts organizations in the community.