Sound Legacy of Civic Music Association Celebrated Friday at TAMIU

Over 80 years ago, a dedicated band of Laredo music lovers decided to share their love of music with their community.  

That effort grew to be known as the Civic Music Association (CMA), and its legacy impact on the performing arts here will be recognized at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Friday, Nov. 3, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts lobby.

Rosanne Palacios, vice president for Institutional Advancement at TAMIU, said the effort is long overdue and reaffirms the arts’ importance in Laredo.

“The notes these visionary leaders first sounded so many years ago are still being heard here.  Their impact as founding Presidents and members of the Laredo Civic Music Association from 1936-1978 helped to instill in generations a love and reverence for music and the performing arts.  We wanted to recognize that lineage, from past to present, and show how today’s vibrant Laredo music scene can be traced to the humble, but powerful beginnings of the CMA,” she explained.

Among those being recognized are the following, or their representatives:  E. H. Corrigan, Jr., Porfirio L. Flores, Gary G. Jacobs, Dr. W. R. Powell, J. James Richter, Sr.; David M.  Slaughter, Jr., Sam Sullivan and Mrs. George P. Hill, first organizational chairwoman of the CMA.

The reception will include an unveiling of a plaque recognizing CMA leadership and establishing TAMIU’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library’s Special Collection as the home of the CMA Archives.  

“We encourage all former Civic Music volunteers and family members to join us for both the celebration and unveiling and a special celebratory concert, ‘The International Concert,’ with the TAMIU Symphonic Band to follow at 7:30 p.m. in the CFPA Recital Hall,” Palacios concluded.

For additional information, contact Palacios at 956.326.2178, email Rosanne.palacios@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Killam Library, Suite 270.