The history of Charlotte Concerts is the history of the arts in the Queen City. That’s because Charlotte Concerts is the city’s oldest extant presenting arts organization.

Founded in 1930 as The Charlotte Community Concert Association, and then becoming Carolina’s Concert Association, today’s Charlotte Concerts organization reaches more people, and touches more lives, than ever before.

Charlotte Concerts has a dual mission to present world-renowned performing artists to local audiences, and to sponsor innovative arts education outreach initiatives in our local communities and schools.

Charlotte Concerts has welcomed to the stage an unprecidented array of artists, from opera and film star Nelson Eddy to the groundbreaking soprano Leontyne Price in recital; from the Vienna Boys’ Choir and the Canadian Brass, to virtuosos Itzhak Perlman and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg; as well as dozens of internationally acclaimed orchestras, small performance groups and soloists.

In addition to its annual star-studded, world-spanning, genre-defying performance series, Charlotte Concerts also presents a program of youth-centered arts education and outreach in our embattled school system. From Master Classes and casual Informance sessions with visiting artists, to the donation of professional musical instruments to children in need, Charlotte Concerts encourages creativity and arts appreciation in the next generation.

The organization is governed by a versatile and diverse Board of Directors, its Emeritus Directors, and an Advisory Board. These groups oversee all aspects of the organization’s operations, from artist selection and promotion, to financial development and educational outreach programs. Our boards and advisory groups are made up of community leaders, business leaders, educators and professionals interested in promoting the arts in Charlotte and its surroundings.

In 1993, an Endowment Fund and a Nonrestricted Fund were established for Charlotte Concerts through The Foundation of the Carolinas. In 2000, the Goodrich Education Fund, which provides support for the organization’s educational programs, and the MacMahon Tribute Fund, which helps to underwrite programming costs, were established. These funds, together with a strong historical fundraising effort and a bedrock of local support, have enabled Charlotte Concerts to become a 21st Century arts organization.

The Charlotte Concerts Crown Society is the original Crown Society. Founded in 1990 as a fundraising adjunct to the organization, The Charlotte Concerts Crown Society is an elite group of advocates who champion the Charlotte Concerts mission. Continued financial support from The Charlotte Concerts Crown Society has helped grow the organization’s working infrastructure, and built the foundation of the organization’s educational outreach programs.

Charlotte Concerts and The Charlotte Concerts Crown Society also host one of the city’s most famous and well-attended fundraising galas. Each year the gala takes on a new theme, and presents the organization to a huge new audience of fans, arts enthusiasts and supporters.

Now Charlotte Concerts enters its 86th year as Charlotte’s premier presenting arts organization and arts education promoter. Our dual mission remains clear and strong. Our generous supporters remain dedicated to the arts in our community.

Join us today, and really have an impact on the arts in your community. Click here to find out more about supporting Charlotte Concerts.