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Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

Bill McGlaughlin is sentimental about Kansas City.  "The look of the town, the rolling hills, the Missouri River and the Flint Hills further out in Kansas, it's a beautiful place with the nicest people."  As artistic director and conductor of the Kansas City Symphony from 1986 to 1998 he educated as well an entertained the classical music community with award-winning, innovative programming.  "Kansas City is an amazing town for music."  

Recently I asked Bill McGlaughlin, now a resident of New York City, what he's been doing lately, he chuckled, "bothering musicians." Composing, conducting and educating audiences around the world, his life is inextricably linked to the players with whom he works.  His latest collaboration brings him back to his old stomping grounds in Kansas City where he will be "hosting" a concert with the Bach Aria Soloists.

As host of the Peabody Award-winning, St. Paul Sunday Morning, he invited the world's best musicians into his studio for an intimate chat.  "People want to know how music is done" says McGlaughlin, "and musicians are so articulate."  He speculates that as teachers, musicians know how to demystify music, to make it understandable and McGlaughlin is one of the best teachers in the business.  For over 25 years, his unpretentious style has broken down the barriers between listener and participant. 

His passion for getting to the heart of great music is still as strong as ever.  He has a syndicated daily show with the WFMT Radio Network called Exploring Music where he examines a theme each week and curates a thoughtful collection of insights and inspiring music.  He is also developing a concert series at Bryant Park (NYC).  "I've been calling up my old friends like Mark O'Connor and the Imani Winds."  His long-time partner and three time Grammy winning jazz artist, Karrin Allyson (who I remember from her gigs at the Phoenix Bar and Grill in the early 1990's) will also be on board. 


Elizabeth Suh Lane, executive-artistic director of the Bach Aria Soloists, knew that bringing Bill McGlaughlin back to Kansas City would be an exciting venture.  Celebrating their 10^th year of music-making, the Bach Aria Soloists have built their reputation on being an unimposing and accessible ensemble.  "Our house concerts are in an intimate venue where performers and audience can converse."  The relaxed vibe allows curious concert-goers to ask questions after the concert that pop into their minds as they are listening.  

According to Suh Lane, the concert at Village Presbyterian Church will be like sitting in the old St. Paul Sunday Morning studio.  Bill will prepare the listeners and the ensemble will play.  "We're looking forward to hearing Bill's engaging stories and anecdotes.   A dialogue can take place onstage." says Suh Lane.  "He has such a great style and approach.  He speaks directly to the audience."

In addition to pieces by Bach, the program features composers who were influenced by Bach, "Which is just about everyone," she laughed.  Beau Bledsoe will join her for guitar transcriptions of Bach preludes and local favorite Rebecca Lloyd will sing Villa Lobos' popular Cantilena from his Bachianas Brasileiras. Harpsichordist/organist, Elisa Blickers will perform an improvisation on a Baroque chorale.  Suh Lane will also perform two movements of the beautiful, but excruciatingly difficult, Bartok Solo Sonata for Violin.  "Playing this piece is such a thrill," she said.

As for Bill McGlaughlin, he's happy to come back and see old friends. When asked where he thinks classical music is headed, he quickly responds. "It's exploding.  More people are listening to classical music than ever before." Technology is helping people access wider varieties of music through online radio, iTunes, websites and podcasts.  Applications are invented everyday that help link listeners to classical music.  But listening to the music on-site, with live performers, in real time is still a joy to be treasured. And getting to interact and engage in person with the players is priceless."


PREVIEW:
Bill McGlaughlin and the Bach Aria Soloists
Inspired by Bach
Saturday March 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Village Presbyterian Church
Prairie Village, KS
For tickets call 816-235-6222 or online at www.BachAriaSoloists.com

By Megan Browne Helm

Classical, Vocal and Theatre Contributor

Megan Browne Helm grew up singing, dancing and acting.  Inspired by Emma Kirkby as a high school student in St. Louis she went on to study voice and sing with the Collegium Musicum at the Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio where she also had a radio show of contemporary classical music on WOBC.  At the University of Kansas she had the pleasure of working with former Kings’ Singer, Simon Carrington in his Collegium Musicum and Oread consort. Years later, she was a choral fellow at the Yale School of Music’s  Norfolk Chamber Music Festival.  She is currently singing with the Kansas City Symphony Chorus under the direction of Charles Bruffy. 

 As a freelance music and culture writer her work can be found on KCMetropolis.org, presentmagazine.com, the Lawrence Journal World, Shawnee Magazine, Leawood Lifestyle Magazine and KC Parent.  She was one of 26 journalists in the country chosen as a NEA Institute Fellow for Classical Music and Opera at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. 

Her current interest is how classical music remains relevant through active collaborations with artists in different fields, including science.  She also sees a connection between classical music, travel and food as a way to engage all of the senses in a 360 degree cultural experience.  She blogs at raworganum.wordpress.com.

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