Panama City Music Association
The Panama City Music Association continues to enhance the cultural diversity in Bay County endeavoring to expand a love for music through the presentation of richly diverse musical and dance performances.
With only a brief hiatus during the early 1940’s, PCMA continues to seek the best of the best performers, from metropolitan opera stars, symphony orchestras and Broadway musicals to dancers from world- renowned ballet companies. The end result: attendees experience professional live performances at a fraction of what it would cost if they were to travel to the big cities to attend the same shows.
As it heads into its 72nd season PCMA remains ever-committed to its mission, made possible through the hard work and dedication of its all-volunteer board and the donations of its generous sponsors and benefactors. This season boasts productions of The Addams Family, a Broadway musical; Elixir of Love, one of the most-often performed operas in the world; the River North Dance Chicago, and The Hit Men, hit songs from The Jersey Boys. (Think Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons.)
“Our mission has been to bring the excitement of classical and modern music, dance, opera and musical theatre to the widest possible audience,” said Nancy Lewis Moore, PCMA board member and past president.“Our goal is to expand the musical experience of our community, to further develop an appreciation for all aspects of music and to increase the participation of youth in musical arts.”
These performances have been an integral part of bringing culture to the area since 1941, Moore said. PCMA started out as The First Friday Club, until some time after World War II, when it was reorganized and renamed. The association was started in part by Moore’s mother, Eleanor Lewis; and Moore’s aunt and first Board President, Louise Sapp, (both deceased) when they engaged support from like-minded individuals to bring musical and performing arts here for the benefit of all. It was the only organization bringing that level of high- caliber entertainment to this area at the time.
The drive for funding became a challenge, as it continues to be. A minimum of 300 memberships had to be sold in order to provide three concerts. A 1950 poster hanging in the offices at the Marina Civic Center announces PCMA’s upcoming season tickets for $6, which included three concerts featuring “nationally and internationally famous artists.”
Moore recalls watching her mother and her aunt as well as other volunteers hammering or removing nails on the stage of the old Bay High School auditorium, the only venue at the time that could accommodate large audiences of 300-400. The group couldn’t risk any of the performers being injured,” Moore said. In addition, board members were expected to take care of the performers from the time they arrived in town until they left because there were minimal accommodations available downtown.
“We picked them up at the airport, took them to dinner or entertained them in our homes where they sometimes stayed,” Moore said. “Volunteers did whatever it took and continue to do so. It was fabulous. It was the only entertainment here and it was the top. It was not a big city, so we were fortunate to have them come here.”
Some of the many famous early performers who graced the BHS stage were the Von Trapp family singers, the Austrian family that “The Sound of Music” was based on; Prima Ballerina Alexandra Danilova, with a small troupe of dancers; Ferrante and Teicher duo, concert pianists who played classical music and often played the piano strings themselves imitating sounds of other instruments and stars from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
“They, Ferrante and Teicher, returned for two more concerts in the municipal auditorium,” Moore said. “They were very popular in Panama City. My parents even continued to have a close personal relationship for several years after their first appearance.”
Moore, who had been exposed to professional ballet performances in other big cities as a child, said she already knew she wanted to be a professional ballerina by the time Prima Ballerina Danilova performed. Once Moore graduated from Texas Christian University with a B.F.A. in ballet she headed straight to New York City where she performed professionally in ballet and musical theatre.
Her first job in the big city was dancing in the Corps de Ballet at Radio City Music Hall. As part of that she was later privileged to perform with the Rockettes. After about five years she returned to Bay County and opened a dance studio where she taught and also started a ballet company that lasted a few years.
“It seemed like it was the only way I could continue to dance,” she said.
Like Moore, several other long-time PCMA volunteers come from professional backgrounds in the performing arts.
Board member for 36 years including a stint as president, Fred Scott, once sang professionally with the Karlsrud Chorale. He was one of 14 men who sang under the direction and tutelage of Edmund Karlsrud, a former Metropolitan Opera singer. After extensive touring in the U.S. and Canada, Scott returned to Panama City in the early 1970’s.
“When you sing in New York with other groups and on Broadway you reach a stage in your career when you know you’re not going to be more than twinkle,” he said. “I moved back to be closer to family.”
He became involved with PCMA at the request of Eleanor Lewis, who he knew from their church where he sang in the choir.
“I needed something to help transition from being a professional musician to being an ordinary guy,” he said.
He also wanted to share his experiences with others, especially young people. Scott, an octogenarian, has been volunteering with PCMA ever since, more than 30 years.
“Our efforts to bring culture to this area have influenced so many young musicians and dancers to go on professionally and it’s the only organization that has brought professional opera here,” he said. “Jon Villars, a local boy, went on to sing with the Metropolitan Opera and travels around the world. He once told me this organization was a great influence on him.”
Just about everyone involved with the board of the nonprofit organization has had some background in music, though not all as performers.
Beginning in her second year as PCMA President, Carolyn Wilson spent 38 years as a music educator most recently at Chipola Community College in Marianna. When she retired several years ago and moved to Panama City Beach, Wilson knew she would continue her life’s work in one form or another. Aside from her work with PCMA she continues to teach in her private piano studio and serves as the pianist at Woodlawn United Methodist Church.
“I always enjoyed the musical performances by the Panama City Music Association whenever I was able to attend,” Wilson said. “Following my retirement, I knew a membership in PCMA would allow me to continue to be involved in seeking the same excellence I had always appreciated in my life as a college professor. I know what good music is and I found it here.”
Another long-time board member, Joyce Harrison, was still working for Columbia Artists Management Co. traveling throughout the Southeast helping other small music associations booking talent, raising funds and in other ways. That was in 1984. By 1986, Harrison was recruited by PCMA board members to serve as the publicity chairman, a position she gladly served for 10 years. Since then she has continually served in many other capacities.
“I became involved with PCMA because I had attended some of the concerts when they were performed at Bay High, and because of my overall love of music. I stay active with the group because I love the people, working backstage helping bring concerts here,” she said. “It’s such a thrill to see the faces of people after a show knowing they enjoyed the entertainment. It’s just an added blessing.”
By Diane Mercado, Photography by Desirée Gardner Photography