The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance is thrilled to partner with the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the Folly Theater to present our ensembles in these beautiful and important halls.
The 2015–16 Conservatory Artist Series is comprised of nine performances, three in Helzberg Hall, two in the Folly Theater, and this year, we are pleased to include two main stage operas in the series, in White Recital Hall, directed by Fenlon Lamb, our new Director of Opera. Here’s the line up.
October 4, 2015, Conservatory Wind Symphony
Directed by Steven D. Davis, the program includes a world premiere by Nick Omiccioli; Wine-Dark Sea: Symphony for Band, John Mackey; Ba Yin for Saxophone Quartet and Wind Ensemble, Chen Yi, special guest PRISM Quartet (world premiere for the wind ensemble version); Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Leonard Bernstein, arr. Paul Lavender.
7 p.m., Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Helzberg Hall
November 3, 2015, Arianna String Quartet
Hailed for its outstanding musicianship, the Arianna String Quartet has firmly established itself as one of America’s finest chamber ensembles. The performances have been praised for “tonal warmth, fastidious balance…expressive vitality” (Chicago Tribune) and “emotional commitment and fluent virtuosity,” (Pretoria News, South Africa)
7:30 p.m., White Recital Hall
This concert is underwritten by the James and Vera Olson Fund for the Arts.
November 6, 2015, Crescendo: New Mood Rising
This is the Conservatory’s spectacular annual fundraising event for scholarships, with music and dance performed by Conservatory students and faculty throughout Helzberg Hall; 6 p.m. patron party/cocktails. Patron dinner in Brandmeyer Hall follows performance.
7 p.m., concert, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Helzberg Hall
10 a.m., matinee for students
Sponsored by the Friends of the Conservatory of Music and Dance.
November 17–20, 2015, Fall Opera, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)
Directed by Fenlon Lamb and guest-conducted by Andy Anderson, UMKC Opera Theatre presents Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute). Sung in German with English dialogue, the cast list includes Tamino: Chad DeMaris, Derrek Stark, (Cover- Xin Shao); Pamina: Leah McIntire-Barnett, Ashley Wheat; Papageno: Alfredo Beltrán, Armando Contreras; Queen of the Night: Stephanie Meyer, TBA; Sarastro: Rhys Talbot; First Lady: Lindsey Allen, Grace Wallace, (Cover- Laura Powell); Second Lady: Nicolette Nazarowski, Logan Snook; Third Lady: Kelly Birch, Alice Chung; Monostatos: Christopher Puckett, Vince Woods, (Cover- Garrett Torbert); Papagena: Kate Sikora, Sophia Zey; First Spirit: Shannon Lowe; Second Spirit: Nichole Kelly, (Cover- Elizabeth Snow); Third Spirit: Willow Parsons; Speaker: Samuel Lim; Priests: Garrett Torbert (tenor), Brandon Smith (bass); Armored Men: Aaron Redburn (tenor), Adam Edmonds (bass).
7:30 p.m., White Recital Hall.
February 11, 2016, Conservatory Orchestra
Directed by Robert Olson, the program includes Richard Strauss’s Don Quixote, Op. 35; and Suite from Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59.
7:30 p.m., White Recital Hall
March 22–25, 2016, Spring Opera, Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw
Directed by Fenlon Lamb and guest-conducted by John Baril, the UMKC Opera Theatre presents Benjamin Britten’s enigmatic and chilling chamber opera The Turn of the Screw based on the Henry James novel. It tells a tale of good versus evil, natural versus the supernatural, possession and exorcism, all of which follows the trials and tribulations of a new Governess at Bly House. Tensions mount as she gets to know the inner workings of the house and those living within. This tautly constructed opera tightens and closes in with astonishing dramatic and musical power, creating the overwhelming feeling of intense claustrophobia. Join us for a spine-tingling evening of theatre, virtuosic orchestral playing, and alluring, otherworldly vocalism.
7:30 p.m., White Recital Hall
April 21–23, 2016, Spring Dance Concert
Experience the athleticism, precision, and passion of the Conservatory’s Dance Ensemble. Come witness the historic Folly Theater spring to life with the extraordinary creativity of the dance faculty’s choreography combined with exciting collaborations from Conservatory musicians.
7:30 p.m., Folly Theater
April 26, 2016, Conservatory Jazz Bands
This is a collage concert featuring a variety of ensembles that represent the entirety of jazz studies at the Conservatory, directed by Bobby Watson and Dan Thomas.
7:30 p.m., Folly Theater
May 5, 2016, Finale, Conservatory Orchestra and Conservatory Choirs
Enjoy the excitement and passion of the Conservatory Orchestra and Choirs in another breathtaking performance. Robert Olson directs the Conservatory Orchestra and Robert Bode directs the Conservatory Choirs.
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts,
7 p.m., Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Helzberg Hall
For ticket information, contact the Central Ticket Office, 816-235-6222. All White Recital Hall and Folly Theater concerts are $12 for the general public, except for Arianna Quartet. The White Recital Hall performances are free for UMKC faculty, staff, and all students with ID (except for Arianna Quartet). Folly Theater tickets are $5 for UMKC faculty, staff, and all students with ID.
