KCMETROPOLIS.org
Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

The Kansas City Ballet’s enchanting Nutcracker is the always an outstanding offering of the season, a wonderful production of an evergreen classic that never grows old. For a change of pace, check out the Owen/Cox Dance Group’s irreverent presentation of the same story to a very different kind of beat, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The Kansas City Symphony offers its annual holiday show, this year entitled simply the Holiday Family Concert, while the Kansas City Chamber Players present an Old World Holiday. Such outstanding vocal music groups as the Kansas City Chorale, Octarium, Musica Sacra, the Bach Aria Soloists, and the Heartland Men’s Chorus give us vocal splendors aplenty. The Boston Brass presents an offbeat jazz-inspired holiday concert at the Carlsen Center, while the Kings’ Singers offer their popular Christmas show for the Harriman-Jewell Series. For something a bit different, check out the 940 Dance Company’s presentation of Snow Queen, a ballet based on the Hans Christian Andersen story, performed in Lawrence. Prominent community groups as the Kansas City Civic Orchestra, the Northland and Liberty Symphonies, the Topeka and Lee’s Summit Symphonies, and the Jacomo and Fine Arts Chorales also offer holiday concerts for your pleasure.

 

Quality Hill Playhouse
Christmas in Song 
Runs through December 26
Quality Hill Playhouse
303 West 10th Street, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-421-1700 or online at www.qualityhillplayhouse.com.

Not sure if this is really classical music or not, but it’s the holidays and anything goes, right? J. Kent Barnhart’s terrific Quality Hill Playhouse programs feature wonderful small-setting performances of favorites from Broadway shows and American composers, some familiar and some forgotten, but all performed with vigor and enthusiasm by Barnhart and his talented slate of performers.

The annual Christmas in Song program always features excellent renditions of holiday favorites and is full surprises as well, along the way. This year Barnhart is joined by performers Karen Errington, Cary Mock and LaTeesha McDonald Jackson.

Some of these performances may be sold out, so just don’t waltz into the ticket office the night of the performance expecting to get tickets. By all means call first or order online.

Click here to read KCM’s review.

 

UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance and The Friends of Chamber Music
Music Alliance/Conservatory Artist Series
Leon Fleisher, piano
Thursday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m.
James C. Olson Performing Arts Center
White Recital Hall
4949 Cherry, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-235-6222 or online at www.umkc.edu/cto or chambermusic.org

The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance and The Friends of Chamber Music are hosting famed pianist Leon Fleisher again this fall for a Music Alliance/Conservatory Artist Series recital. Fleisher, who has appeared under the auspices of the Conservatory before, is the chair of the piano department at the Peabody Institute, received a 2007 Kennedy Center honor, and has enjoyed a decades-long international performing career in New York, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, London, Brussels, Lucerne, Singapore, and Vancouver, among other venues.

Fleischer was also the subject of an Oscar-nominated documentary, Two Hands: The Leon Fleisher Story about his remarkable recovery from a debilitating neurological affliction to return to the concert stage. He has also been featured in many solo recordings.

 

Musica Sacra
20^th Anniversary Season Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 3 at 7 p.m.
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
52nd and Troost, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-235-6222 or online at www.rockhurst.edu/musicasacra.

One of the most glorious of all holiday season compositions is the Gloria of the Venetian master Antonio Vivaldi, and Christmastime often affords an opportunity for local audiences to hear one of our Kansas City-based groups perform this extraordinary work. We are glad to report that this time around, it is Timothy McDonald’s talented Musica Sacra group who will do the honors. In addition to this number, which alone is worth the price of admission, the ensemble will perform In nativatatem domini nostri Jesu Christi canticum by Baroque composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier, as well as a selection of traditional Christmas carols. Not to be missed.

 

Johnson County Community College Performing Arts Series
Boston Brass
Christmas Bells are a’Swingin’!
Friday, December 3 at 8:00 p.m.
Carlsen Center Recital Hall
12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS
For tickets call 913-469-8500 or online at www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series.

As is often the case with holiday concerts, it’s a little hard to judge whether a particular performance is of “Classical music” or not, but in the case of the Boston Brass we have to list it regardless of the music being performed. The group consists of the talented brass players who have been performing for over a quarter century in both the classical and jazz idioms. For this concert they are being joined by members from the Canadian Brass, Dallas Brass, Empire Brass and the Brass Band of Battle Creek.

The group will “light your holiday fire,” we’re told, with jazzy arrangements of Greensleeves, Good King Wenceslas, Motown Jingle Bells and more. Should be fun no matter what your musical tastes may be.

 

Kansas City Chorale
A Robert Shaw Christmas
Friday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral
415 West 13th Street, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-444-7996 or online at www.kcchorale.org.

The Kansas City Chorale sings popular Christmas songs and carols at its annual holiday concert, which it bills as “A Robert Shaw Christmas.” Chorale regulars should note the change of date; the concert will be a day earlier than originally announced.

The Chorale will also perform at a second holiday concert, on Sunday, December 12 at 2:00 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 5400 West 75^th Street (at Nall) in Prairie Village, Kansas. That one will feature choirs from eight schools and the Chorale will participate in only a few numbers.

 

Heartland Men’s Chorus
Twelve Divas of Christmas 
Friday, December 3 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 4 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 5 at 4:00 p.m.
Folly Theater
12^th and Central Streets, Kansas City, MO
Tickets available online at http://www.hmckc.org/

The Heartland Men’s Chorus brings its inimitable and irreverent style to bear on the Christmas season in this concert, which will include renowned impersonator Christopher Peterson. Says the publicity information: “We'll hang a Christmas Garland (Judy, that is) and go carolin' with Marilyn (Monroe, of course). Naughty, gaudy and a little bit bawdy, don your gay apparel for this one-of-a-kind holiday celebration.”

What more could we say? It will be unlike any other holiday program in Kansas City this season!

 

Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City
Christmas on the River 
Saturday, December 4 at 3:00 p.m.
Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
Park University
8700 N.W. River Park Drive, Parkville, MO
Tickets available online at www.kcphilharmonia.org

Conductor Travis Jurgens will lead the Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City, a north Kansas City community group, in its annual holiday concert including familiar Christmas songs. On slate are Leroy Anderson's ever-popular Sleigh Ride and Christmas Festival. Other highlights include Coleridge-Taylor's Christmas Overture, along with Winter Wonderland, Carol of the Bells, Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on Greensleeves and an audience sing along.

 

Fine Arts Chorale
A Holiday Concert with Jan Kraybill
Saturday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral
415 West 13th Street, Kansas City, MO
Tickets available online at www.fineartschorale.org.

Terri Teal’s Fine Arts Chorale performs its annual holiday concert in the expansive sanctuary of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, accompanied by one of the area’s premier organ players, Jan Kraybill.

 

Liberty Symphony Orchestra
Holiday Family Concert 
Saturday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Liberty Performing Arts Center
1600 South Withers Road, Liberty, MO
For tickets call 816-439-4362 or online at www.libertysymphony.org.

The Liberty Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concert will feature Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves, selections from the Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas with a guest narrator, and other favorites. The concert will also feature Zoe Lemon, a High School Artist Soloist, on the cello.

 

University of Kansas School of Music
Lied Center Holiday Vespers Concert 
Sunday, December 5 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Lied Center of Kansas
1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence, KS
For tickets call 785-864-3436 or online at www.music.ku.edu.

The combined forces of the University of Kansas School of Music will present a holiday concert consisting of a diverse array of songs, including familiar seasonal pieces interspersed with some lesser-known works. A highlight of this year's program includes dances from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, choreographed by Jerel Hilding, Associate Professor of Dance, and performed by members of the University Dance Company and the KU Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Neely.

 

Jacomo Chorale
Seasons’ Greetings 
Sunday, December 5 at 6:00 p.m.
Nativity of Mary Church
10017 East 36^th Terrace, Independence, MO
For tickets call 816-478-0380 or online at http://www.jacomochorale.org/.

The Jacomo Chorale under the direction of Dr. Helena Vasconcellos presents its annual holiday concert at part of its 28^th season of performances in eastern Jackson County.

 

UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance
Conservatory Singers perform Monteverdi’s Vespers
Tuesday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Visitation Catholic Church
5141 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
Free admission. For more information visit http://conservatory.umkc.edu.

The Conservatory Singers will perform Renaissance composer Claudio Monteverdi’s moving Vespers in the gorgeous sanctuary of Visitation Catholic Church. What an appropriate place for the resonant and moving work. This should be one of the most moving musical experiences of the holiday season, and you sure can’t beat the price.

 

Topeka Symphony Orchestra
‘Tis the Season 
Wednesday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m.
White Concert Hall
Washburn University Campus, Topeka, KS
For tickets call 785-232-2032 or visit topekasymphony.org.

Conductor John Strickler leads his players in the Topeka Symphony’s annual concert of holiday favorites, this year featuring pops pianist Rich Ridenour.

 

UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance
Conservatory Wind Ensemble
Thursday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m.
James C. Olson Performing Arts Center
White Recital Hall
4949 Cherry, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-235-6222 or online at www.umkc.edu/cto.

Joseph Parisi will lead his acclaimed Conservatory Wind Ensemble in the ensemble’s final performance of the semester at the Conservatory.

 

Owen/Cox Dance Group
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
Friday and Saturday, December 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 12 at 2:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, December 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 19 at 2:00 p.m.
H&R Block City Stage
Union Station
30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO
Tickets available online at www.unionstation.org

Those who attend or who have seen the popular holiday ballet The Nutcracker (see listing for the Kansas City Ballet below) will enjoy this offbeat take-off of the Tchaikovsky masterpiece (actually, based the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann) by the irreverent Owen/Cox Dance Group. Owen/Cox, led by dancer/choreographer Jennifer Owen and often dancing to the music of Brad Cox, has carved out a well-deserved reputation for itself in recent years for being one of Kansas City’s most inventive dance companies, presenting excellent performances in both classical and modern traditions and, well, lots of styles in between as well. In this performance the group repeats a foot-stomping crowd pleaser from last year with an expanded number of performances.

The music and staging is supplied by fifteen musicians of the People's Liberation Big Band, horn sculptor Mark Southerland, artist Peregrine Honig, and students from the Paseo Academy of the Performing Arts. The production will feature “original music and radical rearrangements of Tchaikovsky melodies created by a host of innovative Kansas City jazz musicians.” And, of course, choreography by Jennifer Owen. It’s bound to be a hoot.

Click here to read KCM’s review of last year’s performance.

 

Kansas City Symphony Chamber Players
An Old World Holiday 
Friday, December 10 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 11 at 8:00 p.m.
Visitation Catholic Church
5141 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-471-0400 or online at www.kcsymphony.org.

The Kansas City Symphony Chamber Players, conducted by the Symphony’s associated conductor Steven Jarvi, will perform a selection of holiday favorites this weekend in the beautiful Visitation Church space. The pieces will range from Germany's Silent Night to Italy's Christmas Concerto.

 

Lawrence Arts Center
940 Dance Company
Snow Queen 
Friday and Saturday, December 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, December 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 12 and Sunday, December 19 at 2:00 p.m.
Lawrence Arts Center
940 New Hampshire, Lawrence, KS
For tickets call 785-843-2787 or online at www.lawrenceartscenter.org

The Snow Queen is a is a “dance drama” by Ric Averill, inspired by the classic Hans Christian Andersen wintertime children’s story. According to publicity from the Lawrence Arts Center, “Deb Bettinger’s artistic choreography and Ric Averill’s script and stage direction create a magical, haunting and occasionally dangerous world as young Gerda travels to the Great North to rescue her childhood friend, Kai, who has been abducted by the Snow Queen.” The performance will feature over 130 dancers onstage. It should be quite a show.

 

UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance
Conservatory Wind Symphony
Friday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m.
James C. Olson Performing Arts Center
White Recital Hall
4949 Cherry, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-235-6222 or online at www.umkc.edu/cto.

The Conservatory Wind Symphony, under the direction of Steven D. Davis, will perform its wrap-up concert of the fall semester for the Conservatory of Music of Dance. The repertoire is unannounced as of this writing.

 

Kansas City Ballet
The Nutcracker 
Saturday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 12 at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Friday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 19 at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday through Saturday, December 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday, December 22 and 23 at 2:00 p.m.
Friday, December 24 at 1:00 p.m.
Music Hall
13^th and Broadway, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-931-2232 or online at www.kcballet.org.

Click here to read the KCM preview 

Harriman-Jewell Series
The Kings’ Singers Holiday Concert 
Saturday, December 11 at 8:00 p.m.
Folly Theater
12^th and Central Streets, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-415-5025 or online at www.hjseries.org.

The Kings’ Singers’ holiday concert is one of the most popular of the season. This year the group returns under the sponsorship of the Harriman-Jewell Series, its eighth appearance on the Series, to perform favorites by Bach, Tchaikovsky and Rutter as well as many traditional carols and songs featuring the Kings’ Singers’ unique arrangements and personality. This is always great fun.

Note: The concert is sold out as of this writing, but you can always call or e-mail for turned in tickets, or take your luck at the box office the evening of the performance.

 

Octarium
Holidays With Octarium 
Saturday, December 11 at 3:00 p.m.
Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel at Powell Gardens
1009 N.W. US Highway 50, Kingsville, MO
and
Saturday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Parkville Presbyterian Church
819 Main Street, Parkville, MO
and
Sunday, December 12 at 3:00 p.m.
St. Mark Lutheran Church
3800 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO
Tickets available online at http://www.octarium.org/schedule.html

The holiday concert of Kansas City’s brilliant a cappella singing group Octarium was the first concert of the group heard by this listener a few years ago, and he found the technique, balance and tone of the eight singers entrancing. Director Krista Lang Blackwood achieves a remarkable blend of voices with these fine young performers. A Christmas recording (along with a couple of others) was released later. Each year the Octarium holiday disc is among the first to go in this writer’s CD player for listening, many times over, during the holidays.

Treat yourself to one of the best holiday concerts the local scene has to offer, in three unusual locations, two of them convenient for those in the eastern and northern parts of the metropolitan area. The third concert, on Sunday afternoon, is performed as a benefit for Troost Avenue Revitalization.

 

Kansas City Civic Orchestra
Sounds of the Season 
Saturday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Atonement Lutheran Church
9948 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS
Free admission. Visit http://kccivic.org for more information.

The Kansas City Civic Orchestra, now in its 52nd season, presents its annual holiday concert under the direction of Christopher Kelts, in collaboration with the Atonement Lutheran Chorus with director Rick Deasley. These concerts usually combine some traditional holiday favorites with more classical selections, so be prepared for a little unfamiliar music along with the popular evergreens of the season.

 

Lee’s Summit Symphony
Holiday Magic 
Saturday, December 11 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Bernard C. Campbell Performing Arts Center
Lee’s Summit High School
400 S.E. Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit, MO
Tickets available at Hy Vee East or Hy Vee West, both on Rice Road in Lee’s Summit, MO, or online at www.lssymphony.org.

The Lee’s Summit Symphony holiday concert will feature excerpts, not from the Nutcracker, but from Swan Lake, danced by performers from Steppin' Out. Also on tap are Do You Hear What I Hear featuring the Lee's Summit Youth Chorale, Polar Express and other holiday favorites.

 

Fountain City Brass Band
A Christmas Carol 
Saturday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Bell Cultural Events Center
MidAmerica Nazarene University
2030 East College Way, Olathe, KS
For tickets call 913-971-3636 or online www.mnu.edu/bellcenter

The award-winning Fountain City Brass Band of MidAmerica Nazarene University features the holiday music of Stan Kenton in its annual holiday program.

 

Bach Aria Soloists
Holiday Hauskonzert hosted by MLB Designs
Sunday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m.
MLB Furnishings and Design
2020 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-820-1473 or online at www.bachariasoloists.com.

The Bach Aria Soloists performs its annual holiday concert in a new setting, at the MLB Furnishings and Design studio at 2020 Baltimore. The performance will feature arias from J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, the Coffee Cantata, one of J.S. Bach’s most popular secular cantatas, and also favorite carols sung by soprano Rebecca Lloyd and baritone Joshua Lawlor. Guitarist Beau Bledsoe, a regular with the group, performs a Cello Suite. Elizabeth Suh Lane and Elisa Bickers will also perform.

 

Northland Symphony Orchestra
2010 Holiday Concert 
Sunday, December 12 at 3:00 p.m.
Park Hill South High School
4500 N.W. River Park Drive, Riverside, MO
Free admission. For more information visit www.northlandsymphony.org

The Northland Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concert this year will include young talents from Bell Prairie, Northview and Prairie Point Elementary School Choirs.

 

Kansas City Symphony
Christmas Festival 
Friday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Lyric Theatre
11^th and Central Streets, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-471-0400 or online at www.kcsymphony.org.

This year the Kansas City Symphony is presenting its traditional family holiday concert in a new arrangement, featuring lush symphonic arrangements of Christmas classics, fresh versions of favorite carols, and other favorites. The Symphony musicians will be joined by the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, the Kansas City Brass (drawn from the Symphony’s brass section), the Allegro Children's Choir and Rezound Handbell Ensemble. Don’t be surprised if the Big Guy himself – Santa – makes a visit to entertain the kids.

 

Heritage Philharmonic
Holiday Pops Spectacular 
Saturday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Blue Springs High School Performing Arts Center
2000 N.W. Ashton Drive, Blue Springs, MO
Free admission. For more information visit http://www.heritagephilharmonic.org/

The Delta Woods Honor Choir under the direction of Shirley Atkinson joins the Heritage Philharmonic for a holiday concert. James Murray III is the conductor of the Heritage Philharmonic, which is marking its 66^th year of performances in eastern Jackson County.

 

Kansas City Youth Symphony
Winter Concert 
Sunday, December 19 at 8:00 p.m.
Park University Chapel
8700 N.W. Riverpark Drive, Parkville, MO
Free admission. For more information visit http://www.youthsymphonykc.org/

The Kansas City Youth Symphony, conducted by Steven D. Davis, performs its annual winter concert on Sunday evening. Earlier in the day the String Orchestra and Academy and the Symphonette and Philharmonic, other ensembles of the Youth Symphony, will also perform. It’s the full orchestral version that you will probably want to experience, however. As of this writing, no information about the programming is available.

By Don Dagenais

City Classics Music and Dance Columnist; Classical Contributor

A lifelong classical music fan, Don Dagenais is a frequent preview speaker for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and has taught classical music and opera courses at several Kansas City venues. He has served on the boards of directors of a number of performing arts organizations including the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Lyric Opera Guild, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, Opera Volunteers International, the Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City, Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony, Octarium, and the Friends of the Symphony.  He has been the past president of most of these organizations and is current the president of the Friends of the Symphony. 

Dagenais co-authored a history of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, published on the occasion of its 50th anniversary (2007) and has written books on the histories of both the Lyric Opera Guild and Opera Volunteers International, as well as an introductory book for opera novices (Your Passport to the Opera).  He has received several local and national awards for outstanding volunteer work for the arts, including a lifetime achievement award from The Coterie Theatre in 2000, the Kansas City Musical Club's annual award in 2001, a Partners in Excellence Award from Opera Volunteers International in 2002, a Bravo Award from Opera Volunteers International in 2004 and a community service award from the Daughter of the American Revolution in 2008 honoring him for his community service to the arts.

In addition to his music interests, Don is president of the board of directors for the Metropolitan Ensemble Theater and has served on the boards of The Coterie Theatre and the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, serving as president of each organization.  He publishes newsletters for seven arts organizations.  When not involved in the performing arts, Don is a senior real estate attorney with Lathrop & Gage LLP in Kansas City, Missouri, where he has practiced law since 1976 after graduating from the Cornell Law School.