A RICH OPUS FROM THE START

In the fall of 1954, Tryon music-lovers David Cromer, John G. Landrum, Rev. Joseph Wagner, Rosetta French, Orville White, and Genevieve Washburn founded the Mutual Concert Association, an organization with a mission to create and host an annual classical music series. The Association’s name was later changed to Tryon Concert Association, and a long history of presenting world-class music to the Tryon area began. TCA secured performers of world renown, and Virginia Bradley and Elizabeth Landrum took responsibility for recruiting a membership base capable of supporting TCA’s mission.

With a healthy membership and secure financial footing, the organization’s inaugural season included performances by the New Art Wind Quintet; Nelson and Neal, pianists; and famed baritone Robert McFerrin, the first performer of the series. Shortly after his appearance in Tryon, McFerrin would become the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. True to its mission, TCA attracted students and people from all walks of life to those early concerts.

TCA concerts found a new home with the opening of Tryon Fine Arts Center in 1969. TCA’s first season on the new stage included pianist John Adams, soprano Barbara Blanchard, the Zurich Octet, the Belgrade Trio, and the National Opera Company. In the next two decades, the TFAC stage would hold such admired musicians as Michael Ponti, The Vienna Quintet, the North Carolina Symphony, Lili Kraus, and glee clubs from Ohio State University, Harvard University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

More recent seasons have showcased chamber ensembles such as the Takács Quartet, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble, the Juilliard Quartet, and the Vienna Piano Trio. Pianists Stephen Hough, Yefim Bronfman, and Marc-Andre Hamelin; vocalists Calmus, the King’s Singers, and bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green; and string soloists David Finkel, Paul Huang, and Zlatomir Fung have also given stellar performances.

In 2014, TCA introduced TGIFs, now known as Casual Fridays, an additional series of informal, one-hour concerts given on Friday evenings and intended to let concertgoers start their weekend on a musical note. Performers have included the Spartanburg Philharmonic Percussion Ensemble, classical guitarist Silviu Ciulei, pianists Kymric Mahnke and Beth Child, and other notables.

In recent years, TCA has joined with the Tryon Fine Arts Center to create AOK, Arts Outreach for Kids. Students from area schools are invited to come to TFAC for special performances by TCA’s performers. Recent artists who have participated include Canadian Brass, Zlatomir Fung, Ryan Speedo Green, the Bennewitz String Quartet, and Arsentiy Kharitonov.

What began in 1954 as a shared love for music among friends has grown into an impressive community effort that has brought season after season of exceptional classical performances to a small town in rural North Carolina.