SOUTH COUNTY CONCERT ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY

By Betty Knupp

The South County Concert Association (SCCA), founded in 1975, is celebrating 50 years of offering its subscribers and guests a variety of concerts by nationally and internationally recognized artists. Its goals have remained the same – bringing fine music and entertainment to its stage. SCCA began its first season offering four concerts, which included Jerome Hines and the Norman Luboff Choir.

The Association now features five shows each season. It continues to offer attractions that range from vocal and instrumental soloists to large, choral, instrumental, and dance groups.

Over the years, SCCA has presented well-known groups such as the New Christy Minstrels, ABBA Fab, Hooray for Hollywood and the Everly Set. The board of directors includes one local group each year to support the arts in Maryland. SCCA has hosted the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Chorale with Ernie Green, Capitol Steps, the Harbor City Music Chorus, Brian Ganz, and Ballet Theatre of Maryland.

Steve Dougherty is the current president, having served since 2018. The Officers and board of directors are from various locations in Anne Arundel County, including Annapolis, Davidsonville, Edgewater, and Lothian.

People are curious about how the concerts are selected. For the past 25 years, SCCA has partnered with Live-on-Stage, located in Nashville, Tennessee. Each summer, several Board members attend its conference and showcase to hear 25 groups perform. Those who attend evaluate and recommend concerts for the Board to consider for the following season.

What fun to be entertained over several days by performers from the U.S., Canada, and Europe!

SOUTH COUNTY CONCERT ASSOCIATION SUBSCRIPTION/EVENT INFORMATION

During the 2025-26 season, the Association offers the following concerts: 

South River High School, 201 Central Avenue, Edgewater, MD 21037
– The Bronx Wanderers, vocalists – Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025
– Lauren Jelencovich, soprano – Thursday,   Oct. 16, 2025
– Encore Creativity, A Holiday Concert       Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025

Southern High School: 4400 Solomons Island Rd. (Route 2), Harwood, MD 20776
– Next Generation Leahy – Monday, March 9, 2026
– GQ (Gentlemen’s Quartet), and vocalist – Wednesday, April 29, 2026

  All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., except for Sunday concerts, which begin at 3 p.m. The concerts are purposely scheduled on different nights of the week during the fall, winter and spring months. Both schools have very good acoustics, excellent facilities and adequate parking.

The cost of a subscription is $80 per adult, with students under age 18 free, and admits subscribers to all the concerts listed above. Individual tickets at the door are $30. The subscription cost is based on the nonprofit, all volunteer organization, patron donations, and county and state art grants.

For more information on SCCA or to receive a brochure with application, contact Betty Knupp, membership at [email protected] or go online at www.southcountyconcertassociation.org

Betty Knupp is a founding member of SCCA who has served on the board of directors for all 50 years in a variety of roles, and currently serves as Vice President and Membership Chair.