Author: Libby Hanssen
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Concert to Come: The Boston Camerata’s ‘The Play of Daniel’ Speaks Truth to Power
When “the writing is on the wall,” it usually indicates the end. For the Boston Camerata, it was just the beginning. The phrase comes from the Biblical story of Daniel, when mysterious writing appears to a corrupt leader, an omen of his demise, and has been used on countless politicians since. The ensemble performs their new interpretation of “The Play of Daniel” (c. 1200) on Jan. 19 at Grace and Holy Trinity, presented by the Friends of Chamber Music.
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Artist to Watch: Christine Grossman
Christine Grossman, principal violist for the Kansas City Symphony, was reluctant. As a teenager, she wasn’t sure she wanted to switch from violin to viola. As a born and bred New Yorker, she wasn’t sure she wanted to be principal in an orchestra in the middle of America. She’s changed her mind: “What I love about the Kansas City arts scene is an openness and a welcoming spirit among the musicians and artists."
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‘As One’ Delves the Complexity of Transgender Life
“As One” is the story of one soul torn between two identities, a story of courage, of truth, of searching and of self-discovery. It is the story of Hannah, in her journey to realize herself as a young transgendered woman. “As One” is a chamber opera composed by Laura Kaminsky, with co-librettists Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed. The opera premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2014.
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NewEar Celebrates its 25th Season with a ‘Happy Birthday’ Concert and an Expanded Mission
Kansas City’s professional new music ensemble celebrates its 25th season with a “Happy Birthday, newEar!” concert Dec. 2 at Central United Methodist Church. Over the past few years, newEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble has undergone a period of transition and restructuring, preparing to grow into the sort of arts organization that will present another 25 years of new music to the region.
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Mid America Freedom Band Offers “Programming Diversity, with Some Guts”
The Mid America Freedom Band has planned an adventurous 15th season. Themed “Pioneers and Frontiers,” the upcoming concerts will celebrate historic revolutionaries, musical mavericks and civil rights pioneers, as well as new frontiers in sound and space, with the American expansion of the West and the exploration of the universe. MAFB is Kansas City’s only LGBTQIA + ally community band.
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The Kansas City Symphony’s 2017/18 Season Honors a Giant of American Music
Orchestras and organizations across the nation are honoring an important milestone during the 2017/2018 season. From Aug. 25, 2017 to Aug. 25, 2018, they are celebrating the 100th birthday of Leonard Bernstein, born in 1918, and recognizing his influence on American music as conductor, composer, educator and advocate. The Kansas City Symphony has planned an extensive celebration.