Cynthia H. Schwab was the cornerstone of ProMusica, an organization she founded forty-five years ago to bring world-class chamber music to the citizens of Joplin and the surrounding area. Her passion was the Pro Musica mission: to foster interest in, appreciation for, and enjoyment of live classical chamber music. Pro Musica does just that, with an annual Chamber Music series, biennial symphony orchestra concerts, and beloved Pops concerts that have delighted audiences since 1981. Cynthia made sure to include educational events with visiting musicians – providing lectures, demonstrations, master classes and concerts for area K-12 students, college students and social service agencies.

Growing up in New York, Cynthia was exposed to classical music as a child. She loved it and considered music a treasure. When she moved to Southwest Missouri in the mid-60s, there were no classical radio stations in Joplin. The closest classical music broadcast she could receive on her radio was from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

After organizing a variety of community concerts in the 1970s, she founded ProMusica in 1981 – “Ageless Music for All Ages.” Of great importance to Cynthia were four goals – providing the highest quality of chamber music available, keeping the concerts free of charge to the community, working with the Joplin School system to ensure that every fifth-grade student was exposed to classical music, and providing a warm welcome to the musicians. Indeed, the gracious hospitality Cynthia extended to visiting groups was legendary in Chamber Music circles. She frequently hosted them in her home and found her guests to be “the most fun people to talk to” because of their extensive travel and experiences.

Cynthia Schwab was a patron of education and a strong supporter of Missouri Southern State University, serving on its Board of Regents (now called Board of Governors) from 1990-1995. She was a member of The Lantern Society and the Missouri Southern Foundation Legacy Club.

She served as an advisory board member of The Friends of Chamber Music (Kansas City) and on the Board of Chamber Music America. In 1999 she received the Missouri Arts Award from the Missouri Arts Council. In 2002 she received the first Frederick H. Laas Award from Missouri Citizens for the Arts. She was named one of the ten most influential women in Joplin in 2007.

Although not a musician herself, Cynthia performed in her own way by founding and directing ProMusica. In doing so, she played a vital role in the Joplin community, offering exceptional opportunities to so many. Her dedication to cultural enrichment and education is a legacy that will live forever.