Dear CMA community,
As our 100th season draws to a close, I reflect upon the power of community and live music. The 2025–2026 season marked a defining moment in the history of Civic Music Association – a celebration of our legacy and a powerful reminder of CMA’s continued relevance and impact.
Dr. Ashley Sidon
Our centennial programming exhibited the highest level of artistic excellence, honoring CMA’s history while embracing its future. Legendary artists Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax, and leading contemporary jazz musicians New York Voices, Fred Hersch, and Bria Skonberg celebrated both the richness of the classical tradition and the vitality of American music. They drew enthusiastic and diverse audiences throughout the season.
Equally central to our mission is the depth of educational and community engagement. This past year, CMA expanded its reach through an array of meaningful programs that connected artists and audiences beyond the stage. Highlights included a combined high school cello choir in collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma, an intimate Q&A session with Emanuel Ax that reached several generations of music afficionados, and jazz choir clinics led by visiting artists. We were especially proud to host an all-female honor jazz band that created a platform for inspiring and empowering young musicians, and an opportunity for discussing the role of the arts in personal and community well-being. Community outreach was further strengthened through the artistry of the Belin String Quartet and numerous partnerships, including OLLI, Wellabe, Prairie Meadows, and the Des Moines Symphony Academy.
None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary support of our community. CMA is deeply grateful to its board, donors, sponsors, volunteers, and audience members whose generosity and engagement made this milestone year so successful. Your investment ensures that CMA remains a vital cultural resource for central Iowa.
As we enter our second century, we do so with clarity of purpose and ambition for the future. The remarkably strong foundation set by our first 100 years and the continued support of our community promise to make the next 100 just as extraordinary!
With gratitude,
