Civic Music Association (CMA)

For 98 years, CMA has brought world-renowned artists to Des Moines and central Iowa, offering unforgettable and life-changing artistic and educational experiences. From its inception, CMA has presented legendary classical artists such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Marian Anderson, and the Sphinx Virtuosi, to name a few. In 1982, CMA added jazz to its seasons. Included among a veritable who’s-who of jazz luminaries are Wynton Marsalis, Esperanza Spalding, and Dianne Reeves. CMA now intentionally programs Multi-Cultural/World/Americana performances. This new programmatic series intends to broaden diversity and inclusivity in both artist/concert presentation and audience development, thereby representing the growing diversity of Des Moines and central Iowa.

Our Partners in Education in conjunction with CMA Studio programming, present our world-renowned artists delivering free educational events to schools, retirement facilities, community centers, and libraries. The many educational offerings include performances, clinics, hands-on activities, master classes, and panel discussions. CMA Studio programming is specifically designed for children and young people in Des Moines area schools and colleges. The goal is to support, supplement, and enhance school- and college-based arts instruction in concert with the Iowa arts core curriculum. Community-based programming often focuses on performances and in-depth conversations relating to music, the arts, and cultural connections. Both endeavors seek to enlighten and create a space for dialogue and learning through equitable and inclusive access to music. Priority is given to historically underserved schools and communities.

CMA also presents the Belin Quartet.  The Belin Quartet is an endowed professional string quartet whose community-centered mission offers free concerts during the summer and free educational performances throughout the fall and spring at schools, retirement communities, libraries, community centers, and other venues.

CMA’s Scholarships and Awards offer financial assistance to Iowa middle, high school, and college students, as well as K-12 music educators based on need and talent.

CMA also places a special focus on partnership development in an effort to increase and broaden access to, and inclusivity in our programming. Partners include; Des Moines Public Schools, Des Moines Public Libraries,, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa, Drake University, Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), Des Moines Music Coalition, Iowa Asian Alliance, Latino Heritage Festival, Ballet Des Moines, International Rescue Committee, Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa, Lutheran Services of Iowa, Dentons Davis Brown Law Firm, Above and Beyond Cancer, John Stoddard Cancer Center, Iowa Music Educators Association, Des Moines Music Teachers Association, Southwest Iowa Community College, Iowa Public Radio, Iowa Public Television, Des Moines Symphony, Des Moines Symphony Academy, Des Moines Performing Arts, Hoyt Sherman Place, Noce, xBk, Community Jazz Center, Salisbury House, Plymouth Church, World Food and Music Festival, Zenith Festival and the Fischoff Competition.

Whether bringing world-renowned artists to thousands of public-school students and the community, supporting our senior population, offering free and open access concerts to the greater Des Moines community, partnering with our non-profit colleagues, collaborating with DART to make programming more accessible, or collecting non-perishables to fight food insecurity, CMA believes that music transforms lives.