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

Kansas City Women's Chorus
Journey to Peace
Saturday, December 13 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 14 at 4 p.m.
Guardian Angels Church
1310 Westport Road
Kansas City, MO

The Kansas City Women's chorus is a community singing group directed by Dr. Stephanie Henry. The chorus performs two concerts a year, one of which is this holiday program which is to feature traditional favorites along with classical selections.

For tickets www.kcwomenschorus.org

The Kansas City Chorale
Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 14, 2:00 p.m.
Redemptorist Cathedral
3333 Broadway, Kansas City, MO

Tuesday, December 16, 7:30 p.m.
Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church
9300 Nall Avenue
Overland Park, KS


Charles Bruffy and the Kansas City Chorale.  What more can we say?  The local group of 24 singers has made an international reputation over the past dozen years, and it is richly deserved.  The Chorale's numerous recordings (eight to date, with another to be released soon) have won praise from critics and listeners alike, and the most recent one, of Grechaninov's Passion Week, won a Grammy award last year.  The more recent recording of Rheinberger sacred choral music is even better, some listeners feel.  More importantly, the group has enchanted the ears of Kansas Citians for more than 25 years now, and its concerts can always be counted upon to produce waves of delightful vocal sound.

In this season's holiday concert, the Chorale features Ottorino Respighi's rarely-performed Laud to the Nativity, accompanied by musicians from the Kansas City Symphony. Of course, the concert will also include a traditional offering of seasonal favorites of tuneful good cheer, including music from Gabrieli, Palestrina, Sweelinck and William Byrd.

The Chorale will also sing four new arrangements of classic Christmas carols by composer Michael McGlynn.

No vocal lover's holiday season would be complete without this concert!  And a Chorale CD recording makes the perfect gift for your musically-inclined friends, particularly those from out of town who need to learn about the best that Kansas City vocal music has to offer.  Something tells me the CD's may be available at the intermission of the concert.

For tickets call 816-235-6200 or online at www.kcchorale.com

Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata 65
"Sie werden aus Saba alle kimmen"
Sunday, December 14 at 5 p.m.
Immanuel Lutheran Church
1700 Westport Road
Kansas City, Missouri

The music of Johann Sebastian Bach is heavenly at any time of year, but never more so that during the holiday season.  This cantata, one of many that J. S. Bach wrote for St. Thomas' Church in Leipzig during his long career there, should make for a pleasurable afternoon.  From a musical point of view the work is a Christmas cantata par excellence; listen especially for the opening chorus (don't be late for the performance!), the tenor aria, and especially the magnificent bass aria, a showpiece for bass singers and often recorded.

No tickets are required, but a free will offering will be gratefully accepted.
For information call 816-931-8483

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.