The first concert, given by The Mozart Trio in a program of arias from "Don Giovanni", "Le Nozze di Figaro" and "Cosi fan Tutte", was held on November 30, 1948. There was a near-capacity audience. Two candelabra on stage were lit and at the end of the performance extinguished, by a young child, Roland Pittman, who is in the audience tonight as the Series' special guest.

Hiden subsequently established a connection with the National Music League and formed The Evening Concert Groups, which collaborated with 6 other concert organizations in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland in order to form a concert blockbooking network for the purpose of sharing artists' costs. In 1951 the Board voted to disengage from this affiliation and become The Tuesday Evening Concert Series, incorporating as a non-profit organization in the same year.

Twelve concerts were offered the first season, 9 for the 1954/55 season, and eventually 6 concerts were established in the 1980's. Local patrons purchased season memberships for the open seating arrangement, and the sea«sons were often sold out in the early years. Charlottesville and Albemarle County residents were not permitted to purchase tickets to individual concerts; this privilege was restricted to out-of-town guests and students purchasing rush tickets 5 minutes prior to a performance.

Here's what some of our patrons have had to say about TECS:

"These highest-quality "live" concerts have been my most important cultural entertainment over many years. (They have made the long trip to Charlottesville worthwhile)."
Laura Bliss, Lynchburg  

"It is simply amazing that TECS is able to bring such fine programs in great variety to us. Bravo." Anon                                    

"An outstanding series of superb artists!"  Roger Goodson                                          

'We are most impressed by the caliber of talent brought into Charlottesville by TECS. We've only been here a little more than 2 years and never expected this quality." Anon      

"Chamber music- TECS - is a factor in deciding to return to Charlottesville."   Anon                                                    
                                                                 
"Since my late husband and I came to Charlottesville and the U.Va., the concerts have delighted us- and they get better every year." Mrs. Dietrich Bodenstein            
                                                               
"These concerts have always been one of the nicest things in Charlottesville, and especially in the early years were an oasis of good music." Anon

"The community is fortunate to have a presenter like TECS which brings first class performers in at a reasonable price." Janice Fischer

"Having come from New York, the opportunity to hear great music, in an intimate setting, for a still very reasonable price, with free parking and no hassle continues to BLOW my mind!"    William S. Gray   
                           
"I enjoyed Pinchas Zukerman's children's concert very much. What a wonderful opportunity it was for the children in our community!" Anon                   

"We've been blessed with a very wide range of artists, genres, and eras. We're delighted to observe the success of the TECS in the face of an alleged national decline in attendance at classical music concerts." Mel & Dee Cherno                          
                       
"Probably the best value for world class chamber music in the world." Anon