RUMFORD – The state’s only remaining Community Concert Association kicks off its annual membership drive Monday for its 2007-08 three-performance concert series.

The Rumford Community Concert Association began its work to bring professional performers to town at a cost that most people could afford more than 60 years ago. While other small communities have disbanded their organizations, Rumford’s is still strong.

Dee Holman, campaign chairwoman for the group, said a 25-person team of volunteers will set up at Bangor Savings Bank from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. everyday this week to enlist members. The association has 254 members now.

New members receive a free ticket for the final performance of the 2006-07. A concert by Brazilian organist Hector Olivera takes place at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 3, in Muskie Auditorium at Mountain Valley High School.

“We expect him to pull up to the school with tractor-trailer truck carrying his pipe organ,” said Holman, adding that Olivera has a following from many states around the Northeast.

The 2007-08 concert series begins on Nov. 1 with a performance by jazz pianist and singer Michael Kaeshammer and a three-man drum, base and guitar combo. Some of the musicians have performed with singers Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall and others.

The next performance in this three-concert series features classical pianist Angela Jia Kim, who won a Mozart Festival competition, and has performed in New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Warsaw, Poland, and Montreal. She will feature works by French composers and Mozart on March 7, 2008.

The final performance brings the humor and talent of four horn and string musicians known as The Juggernaut Jug Band. Besides playing traditional instruments, the folksy group will perform American jazz and folk classics on such things as washboards, and other everyday items.

Each concert is about two hours, including a 15-minute intermission.

The Rumford Community Concert Association books performers through Live Onstage of Nashville.

“This takes a corps of dedicated volunteers every year,” said Holman, a 30-year member of the group.

Besides memberships, the organization seeks business and corporate sponsorships. Each annual series costs about $12,000.

Those who can’t make it to the bank this week or who haven’t been contacted, may call Barbara Smith-Baker at Red Hill Natural Foods on Waldo Street, at 369-9141, to purchase concert series tickets.

Ticket holders are also entitled to a 20 percent discount on dinners served the days of the concerts at The Boiler Room at the Harris and the Mexico Chicken Coop.