RUMFORD — The long-running Community Concerts series will end next year due to finances and lack of younger subscribers, an official said Monday.

Dee Holman, a longtime member of series, said she believes it’s the last one of its kind in New England. She said the board that runs the series voted to end its association with Live on Stage of Nashville, a booking agency, because costs keep going up and younger people aren’t taking advantage of the professional performances.

“We have individual donors who are sorry to see it go,” she said.

Board President Becky Welsh was not available for comment Monday.

A group of Rumford residents, including Margaret Beliveau, got together in 1947 to bring classical and other musical performances to the area. Since then, there have been at least three presentations a year for patrons who subscribe to the series. The variety of performers ranges from pianists to a cello quintet.

The next performance is March 10 by Nube, a South American instrumental group. The last one, marking the end of the 62-year run, will be by Lithuanian pianist and humorist Rudolph Budginas in April.

Although Holman is saddened by the end of the concerts, she said she believes much of the culture brought by them may be provided by the recently organized Rumford Performing Arts group, and the Celtic music offered at the Skye Theater in Carthage. Bethel organizations also present a variety of performances, she said.

The Rumford Performing Arts group held its first event last week when the United States Air Force Liberty Jazz Band performed in the newly refurbished Rumford Falls Auditorium in the municipal building for more than 200 people. On Dec. 2, it will partner with the River Chamber of Commerce and a local church for a children’s pageant, a performance by the Holy Savior Choir, and the Festival of the Trees.

Other performances include the Maine Hysterical Society on Jan. 13 and a visit by the Marden’s Lady, Birdie Googin, on Feb. 13, in partnership with the Rumford-Mexico Rotary Club and the chamber, according to an e-mail by Linda Macgregor, a member of the group.

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