David T. Beals Assistant Conductor Jason Seber is one of the newest members of the Kansas City Symphony and one of the newest members of KC’s ever-vibrant arts community. Seber takes on an important and influential role at the Symphony, where he will lead many of the pops, family, holiday, education and Classics Uncorked concerts. Additionally, the assistant conductor helps design the Symphony’s education programs and conducts the orchestra for many prominent community events such as Pops in the Park on Labor Day and Symphony in the Flint Hills “Signature Event” in June.
No stranger to the podium, Seber spent three seasons as the education and outreach coordinator for the Louisville Orchestra and 11 years as music director of the Louisville Youth Orchestra prior to taking the Kansas City position.
Seber, who just moved to Kansas City this summer, recently answered a few of our questions about his formative years, concerts he’s looking forward to and, of course, his opinion on BBQ in Kansas City!
Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up?
I was born in Indiana, but I mostly grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania. And then I spent many years in Cleveland before moving to Louisville, Kentucky. And now I’m here in Kansas City!
What were your favorite activities growing up? Did you play any instruments or sing?
Music has always played a big role in my life. I started playing violin when I was 8 years old. I’ve always loved playing in orchestras as well as chamber music. In high school and undergrad, I sang quite a bit as well. Singing is such a natural and personal way to make music. I also enjoyed doing things every kid my age did — playing whiffle ball, collecting baseball cards, running around all over until dark, the usual.
As you look concerts you’re conducting in the 2016-17 season, which are you most enthusiastic about?
One of the greatest things about my position is that I get to conduct such a diverse and eclectic selection of concerts. I am passionate about leading educational and family programs. I think Pops concerts are fun and highly engaging programs to lead. The Classics Uncorked Series is such a cool concept and there’s obviously a lot of great repertoire I’ve programmed that I’m thrilled to conduct. If I were forced to pick a few particular programs, I’d say I’m most enthusiastic about Boyz II Men (because I grew up with them and sang a few of their tunes in a high school quartet), Screenland at the Series: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (perhaps my favorite film score of all time), our final Classics Uncorked (The Architecture of Music), and Symphony in the Flint Hills (please tell me a more beautiful place to have a concert).
As cover conductor for the Kansas City Symphony Classical Series, I especially look forward to the two Requiems (Mozart and Britten), the Schubert and Mahler program in February, Sibelius’ Second Symphony in March (one of my very favorite symphonies), and having pianist Emanuel Ax here to play two Mozart concerti in June.
What’s the best thing about being a conductor to you?
Getting to make great music with incredible colleagues. Sharing something that beautiful with other people.
Do you have a favorite Kansas City BBQ joint yet? Are you open to suggestions?
Yes! I feel like I have tried a decent amount of Kansas City BBQ and I have 3 favorites so far: Q39, Char Bar, and Joe’s. I am definitely open to suggestions, especially for the best ribs and the best burnt ends!
Seber leads the Symphony in their first concert of the 2016-17 season, Pops in the Park. The free, outdoor concert falls on Labor Day, or Monday, Sept. 5 at The Theatre in the Park at Shawnee Mission Park. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the Bush and Jamie Helzberg Instrument Petting Zoo, the Youth Symphony of Kansas City performs at 6 p.m. and the Symphony takes the stage at 7 p.m. with classical fare and pop favorites. For more information, call the Symphony Box Office at (816) 471-0400 or visit kcsymphony.org.
Look for more on Kansas City Symphony’s new David T. Beals Assistant Conductor Jason Seber in the upcoming September/October issue of KC Studio magazine.
