Our history

     The national Community Concerts organization was started in 1920 in Chicago by two music managers, Dema Harshbarger and Ward French.  A whole new audience for live concerts quickly developed but high costs proved a difficult obstacle.    Starting in 1927, the principle of raising funds by selling subscriptions(season memberships)to secure a season prior to contracting artists proved to be Community Concerts' "magic ingredient." In league with that, local non-profit concert associations were formed to provide "music lovers" an organized, membership-only audience movement,  not just in the large cities but also in small towns across the United States.  In the first year there were 12, then growing to 42 during the Depression.  By 1940 there were 335.  Using the proud slogan "A Carnegie Hall in Every Town", Community Concert Associations (CCA's) grew even larger during World War II, and by 1950 increased to 1,008 organizations.  Associations were also formed in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and even, briefly, South Africa.   Today Community Concerts is still the largest, most enduring network of performing arts presenters that has ever existed.

     In the mid-70's Escondido's Philharmonic Artists Association which started in 1945 , became the Hidden Valley Community Concert Association(HVCCA).  Back in the day world-famous conductor Zubin Mehta brought the LA Philharmonic Orchestra to perform in the auditorium of the old Escondido High School up on the hill.   In the 90's, local  CCA's  broke away from Columbia Artists Management,, Inc. (New York) and HVCCA, along with many other CCA's across America, started operating independently, booking artists directly or through agents.  Concerts were held in in the Seventh Day Adventist School's gymnasium with folding chairs until the California Center for the Arts, Escondido(CCAE) opened in 1994.  

     HVCCA presents concerts at very reasonable prices, paid for by season memberships,  online and "at-the-door" ticket sales, and donations.  Read our Mission Statement at About Us.  

     HVCCA has presented over 300 concerts in Escondido since 1945.   For the past 25 years the HVCCA has presented over 100 concerts in the state-of-the-art, beautiful and intimate Center Theater at CCAE.  HVCCA has supported the local Civic Youth Orchestra and Civic International Youth Artist's Competitions and has provided opportunities for local schools' musicians to meet and perform with  professional musical artists. 

    HVCCA celebrated our 75th anniversary at CCAE  with Champagne and several VIP'S on November 21, 2021.  We present a range of top-quality entertainment to satisfy everyone at the best season MEMBERSHIP price.  Please consider donating to our operating fund along with your season subscription. 

    The 2022-2023 season will be a transitional year due to increasing costs at CCAE.  Our concerts will be at different venues . 

At our last concert on MARCH 12, 2023 the HVCCA season members had an  annual survey to vote on  our artists for the 2023-2024 season.  There is always one or two...sometimes three  "back by popular demand" artists to present the next two seasons.  Do you know of any other venue or musical organization that does this?.