RSS 2.0 FeedEarly August 2011, City Classics
Music and Dance through August
August is the slowest month for concertizing in Kansas City, as the summertime festivals are complete and most professional presenters and ensembles are gearing up for their seasons beginning in September and October. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception downtown presents a couple of Sunday afternoon organ recitals, and the William Baker Festival Singers performs a choral concert on August 20 and 21. But never fear, September is just around the corner, and soon you will have a literally once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revel in the opening of Kansas City’s spectacular new Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts. So hold on to your hats…much excitement is on its way soon!
Summer Music at the Cathedrals
Jonathan Gregoire, organist
Sunday, August 14 at 2:00 p.m.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
416 West 12th Street, Kansas City, MO
For more information visit http://www.ghtc-kc.org/music/events.html
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Grace and Holy Trinity downtown sponsors occasional summer music concerts, and on August 14 the recital will feature young organist Jonathan Gregoire, an alumnus of Interlochen who has given organ recitals throughout the country.
William Baker Festival Singers
Kansas City Summer Singers Concert:
The Masters of the Baroque Era
Saturday, August 20 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 21 at 2:00 p.m.
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral
Broadway and 13th Street, Kansas City, MO
Tickets available online at www.festivalsingers.org
The 125-voice Summer Singers of Kansas City will perform August 20 and 21 with members of the Kansas City Symphony. Dr. William O. Baker will conduct a performance which will include Vivaldi’s Gloria, Choruses from Handel’s Messiah, Dietrich Buxtehude’s Lord Keep Us Steadfast, Bach chorales from Jesu Meine Freude, Salamone Rossi’s Jewish Music of the Baroque, and Henry Purcell’s Hear My Prayer.
Dr. O. Wayne Smith will accompany the group.
Summer Music at the Cathedrals
Hector Olivera, organist
Sunday, August 28 at 2:00 p.m.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
416 West 12th Street, Kansas City, MO
For more information visit http://www.ghtc-kc.org/music/events.html
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception’s summer music concert feature Hector Olivera on the organ on August 28. A native of Argentina, Olivera entered the Buenos Aires Conservatory of Music at age six, and in recent years has performed solo concerts throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and Latin America and as guest soloist with prominent symphony orchestras.
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.
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