Kansas City Symphony
Encyclopedia
The Kansas City Symphony (KCS) is a United States
symphony orchestra based in Kansas City
, Missouri
. The current music director is conductor Michael Stern
. The current home of the Symphony is the Lyric Theatre
, located in Downtown Kansas City
on 11th Street between Wyandotte and Central Streets. In September 2011, however, the Symphony will move to the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
, also located downtown.
founded the Kansas City Symphony. Kemper chose a group of other prominent Kansas Citians, including Hallmark Cards
Chairman and CEO Donald J. Hall, Sr.
and H&R Block
co-founder Henry W. Bloch
, to be the founding trustees; together, the first board established the Symphony's initial endowment. They also promulgated the Symphony's mission, to "Advance and advocate the art of classical music for the enrichment of the community."
. The Symphony currently has 80 full-time musicians, all area residents. Each year, it plays a 42-week season, which includes subscription concerts, educational concerts, regional and national tours, and public outreach concerts. The Symphony also performs music for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and the Kansas City Ballet
.
In addition to ordinary donations and concert proceeds, the Symphony is supported by seven specialized auxiliary groups. Together, these raise approximately $900,000 each year. Fund-raising events include Kansas City's main debutante ball - the Jewel Ball
(which also benefits the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
, the Symphony Ball, the Designers' Showhouse (a home renovation expo in Kansas City's Country Club District
which chooses one historic home to renovate each year), a Friends of the Symphony Gift Shop, and a docent program for educational concerts. Today, the symphony's annual budget is more than $11 million.
The Symphony released its first compact disc, American Voices, conducted by William McGlaughlin, in 1995. Other CDs include The Sound of Kansas City in 2004. Recently, the Symphony released Gordon Chin's Formosa Seasons on the Naxos label, and Shakespeare's Tempest with Reference Recordings in July 2008. Additionally, the Symphony has participated in two nationally broadcast PBS television specials and has performed on National Public Radio. Every week during the Symphony's season, KCUR-FM 89.3, Kansas City's NPR affiliate, broadcasts highlights of Symphony performances.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
symphony orchestra based in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. The current music director is conductor Michael Stern
Michael Stern (conductor)
Michael Stern is a noted American symphony conductor. Currently, he serves as the music director and lead conductor of the Kansas City Symphony in Kansas City, Missouri. He is also the founding music director of the IRIS Orchestra in Germantown, Tennessee.- Early life and education :Stern is the...
. The current home of the Symphony is the Lyric Theatre
Lyric Theatre (Kansas City, Missouri)
The Lyric Theatre is a theatre in Kansas City, Missouri.The four and half-story structure designed by Owen Saylor and Payson opened on December 18, 1926 as the Ararat Shrine Temple. It cost the Shriners $1 million and had a seating capacity of 3,000...
, located in Downtown Kansas City
Downtown Kansas City
Downtown Kansas City is the central business district of Kansas City, Missouri and the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. It is located between the Missouri River in the north, to 31st Street in the south; and from the Kansas–Missouri state line east to Troost Avenue as defined by officials of the...
on 11th Street between Wyandotte and Central Streets. In September 2011, however, the Symphony will move to the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a newly inaugurated performing arts center in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, USA, at 16th and Broadway near the Power & Light District, the Sprint Center and the Crossroads Arts District. Its construction was a major part of the ongoing redevelopment...
, also located downtown.
History
Kansas City's first symphony orchestra was the Kansas City Philharmonic, founded in 1933 and dissolved in 1982. Only months later, seeing the necessity for a new symphony orchestra, businessman and philanthropist R. Crosby Kemper Jr.R. Crosby Kemper Jr.
R. Crosby Kemper, Jr. was born into an influential banking and railroading family in Kansas City, Missouri. His father was R. Crosby Kemper....
founded the Kansas City Symphony. Kemper chose a group of other prominent Kansas Citians, including Hallmark Cards
Hallmark Cards
Hallmark Cards is a privately owned American company based in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 1910 by Joyce C. Hall, Hallmark is the largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the United States. In 1985, the company was awarded the National Medal of Arts....
Chairman and CEO Donald J. Hall, Sr.
Donald J. Hall, Sr.
Donald J. Hall Sr. is the chairman of the board and majority shareholder of Hallmark Cards, the world's largest greeting card manufacturer and one of the world's largest privately held companies. Hallmark's headquarters is in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.. He and his wife, Adele, live in Mission...
and H&R Block
H&R Block
H&R Block is a tax preparation company in the United States, claiming more than 22 million customers worldwide, with offices in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. The Kansas City-based company also offers banking, personal finance and business consulting services.Founded in 1955 by brothers...
co-founder Henry W. Bloch
Henry W. Bloch
Henry Wollman Bloch is the co-founder and the chairman emeritus of H&R Block.Henry and his brother, Richard Bloch, founded H&R Block in 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri.-Personal life:Bloch was born in Kansas City...
, to be the founding trustees; together, the first board established the Symphony's initial endowment. They also promulgated the Symphony's mission, to "Advance and advocate the art of classical music for the enrichment of the community."
Today
The Symphony is one of two major symphony orchestras in Missouri, the other being the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in St. LouisSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. The Symphony currently has 80 full-time musicians, all area residents. Each year, it plays a 42-week season, which includes subscription concerts, educational concerts, regional and national tours, and public outreach concerts. The Symphony also performs music for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and the Kansas City Ballet
Kansas City Ballet
Founded in 1957, Kansas City Ballet is a 25-member professional ballet company under the direction of Artistic Director William Whitener and Executive Director Jeffrey J. Bentley. Kansas City Ballet performs three mixed repertory seasons per year as well as the ever-popular Nutcracker...
.
In addition to ordinary donations and concert proceeds, the Symphony is supported by seven specialized auxiliary groups. Together, these raise approximately $900,000 each year. Fund-raising events include Kansas City's main debutante ball - the Jewel Ball
Jewel Ball
The Jewel Ball is the main annual debutante ball held in Kansas City, Missouri, in the United States. It is organized by the Jewel Ball Foundation, which appoints a prominent Kansas City socialite to be the chairwoman. In 2007, it was held on June 9....
(which also benefits the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is an art museum in Kansas City, Missouri, known for its neoclassical architecture and extensive collection of Asian art....
, the Symphony Ball, the Designers' Showhouse (a home renovation expo in Kansas City's Country Club District
Country Club District
The Country Club District is the name of a group of neighborhoods comprising a historic upscale residential district in Kansas City, Missouri, and Johnson County, Kansas, USA, developed by noted real estate developer J.C. Nichols. The district was developed in stages between 1906 and 1950...
which chooses one historic home to renovate each year), a Friends of the Symphony Gift Shop, and a docent program for educational concerts. Today, the symphony's annual budget is more than $11 million.
The Symphony released its first compact disc, American Voices, conducted by William McGlaughlin, in 1995. Other CDs include The Sound of Kansas City in 2004. Recently, the Symphony released Gordon Chin's Formosa Seasons on the Naxos label, and Shakespeare's Tempest with Reference Recordings in July 2008. Additionally, the Symphony has participated in two nationally broadcast PBS television specials and has performed on National Public Radio. Every week during the Symphony's season, KCUR-FM 89.3, Kansas City's NPR affiliate, broadcasts highlights of Symphony performances.
Music directors
- 2004–present: Michael SternMichael Stern (conductor)Michael Stern is a noted American symphony conductor. Currently, he serves as the music director and lead conductor of the Kansas City Symphony in Kansas City, Missouri. He is also the founding music director of the IRIS Orchestra in Germantown, Tennessee.- Early life and education :Stern is the...
- 1999-2003: Anne Manson
- 1986-1997: William McGlaughlin
- 1982-1986: Russell Patterson