I'm pleased to be invited to be one of the plenary speakers at this convention, and to perform in a concert at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, along with the William Baker Festival Singers and the Fountain City Brass Band. The concert, on Tuesday evening at 8:30pm, is open to the public. Visit www.kauffmancenter.org to get tickets!

I'm so looking forward to playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ for this performance!

From the Kansas City Symphony website:

Michael Stern, conductor Joelle Harvey, soprano Kelley O'Connor, mezzo-soprano Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

GUSTAV MAHLER Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection”

A transcendent experience awaits you — Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony is truly one of his greatest, most deeply emotional works. The stage and choral loft will be filled with musicians bringing you music that touches the soul. Soprano Joelle Harvey and mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor give voice to this luminous work.

Mahler’s personal favorite of his many symphonies, it took him seven years to complete the work. From moments of sublime tenderness to extravagant displays of vigor, this powerful symphony illuminates life’s journey. Soloists, chorus, and a massive orchestra join together to contemplate the nature of life and death, the role of faith, and ultimate meaning.

Inspiration for the radiant finale came as Mahler attended the funeral of his mentor, the conductor Hans von Bülow. Upon hearing “The Resurrection,” a poem by Friedrich Klopstock set to a chorale melody, Mahler later said, “It flashed on me like lightning and everything became plain and clear in my mind. It was the flash that all creative artists wait for ...” From that creative spark came the shape of this epic symphony. Join Michael Stern, Joelle Harvey, Kelley O'Connor, and the Symphony Chorus directed by Grammy® winner Charles Bruffy, and your Kansas City Symphony for an unforgettable performance.

I'm so looking forward to playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ for this performance!

From the Kansas City Symphony website:

Michael Stern, conductor Joelle Harvey, soprano Kelley O'Connor, mezzo-soprano Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

GUSTAV MAHLER Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection”

A transcendent experience awaits you — Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony is truly one of his greatest, most deeply emotional works. The stage and choral loft will be filled with musicians bringing you music that touches the soul. Soprano Joelle Harvey and mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor give voice to this luminous work.

Mahler’s personal favorite of his many symphonies, it took him seven years to complete the work. From moments of sublime tenderness to extravagant displays of vigor, this powerful symphony illuminates life’s journey. Soloists, chorus, and a massive orchestra join together to contemplate the nature of life and death, the role of faith, and ultimate meaning.

Inspiration for the radiant finale came as Mahler attended the funeral of his mentor, the conductor Hans von Bülow. Upon hearing “The Resurrection,” a poem by Friedrich Klopstock set to a chorale melody, Mahler later said, “It flashed on me like lightning and everything became plain and clear in my mind. It was the flash that all creative artists wait for ...” From that creative spark came the shape of this epic symphony. Join Michael Stern, Joelle Harvey, Kelley O'Connor, and the Symphony Chorus directed by Grammy® winner Charles Bruffy, and your Kansas City Symphony for an unforgettable performance.

I'm so looking forward to playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ for this performance!

From the Kansas City Symphony website:

Michael Stern, conductor Joelle Harvey, soprano Kelley O'Connor, mezzo-soprano Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

GUSTAV MAHLER Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection”

A transcendent experience awaits you — Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony is truly one of his greatest, most deeply emotional works. The stage and choral loft will be filled with musicians bringing you music that touches the soul. Soprano Joelle Harvey and mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor give voice to this luminous work.

Mahler’s personal favorite of his many symphonies, it took him seven years to complete the work. From moments of sublime tenderness to extravagant displays of vigor, this powerful symphony illuminates life’s journey. Soloists, chorus, and a massive orchestra join together to contemplate the nature of life and death, the role of faith, and ultimate meaning.

Inspiration for the radiant finale came as Mahler attended the funeral of his mentor, the conductor Hans von Bülow. Upon hearing “The Resurrection,” a poem by Friedrich Klopstock set to a chorale melody, Mahler later said, “It flashed on me like lightning and everything became plain and clear in my mind. It was the flash that all creative artists wait for ...” From that creative spark came the shape of this epic symphony. Join Michael Stern, Joelle Harvey, Kelley O'Connor, and the Symphony Chorus directed by Grammy® winner Charles Bruffy, and your Kansas City Symphony for an unforgettable performance.

I'll present an organ concert, co-sponsored by the Roanoke chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Titled "A World of Wonders," this program celebrates the fantastic world that surrounds us.

Planned repertoire includes:

CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR (1844-1937): Intermezzo from Symphony No. 6 for organ

ANDREA GABRIELI (c.1533-1585): Canzon detta Qui la dira (Who Will Say?)

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750): Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr (All Glory be to God on High), BWV 676

FELIX MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847), transcr. Samuel P. Warren: Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream

FELA SOWANDE (1905-1987): Obangiji

GUNNAR IDENSTAM (b. 1961): Menuet nordique

BENJAMIN CORNELIUS-BATES (b. 1978): Fantasia on "I Wonder ..."

ROBERT ELMORE (1939-1985): Rhumba

LIBBY LARSEN (b. 1950): Tambourines, from Aspects of Glory

PAUL AYRES (b. 1970): Toccatina on Here Comes the Sun (based on the song by George Harrison)

JOSEPH BONNET (1884-1944): Variations de Concert, Op. 1

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Michael Stern, conductor

Yo-Yo Ma, cello

ELGAR Enigma Variations

JOEL THOMPSON breathe/burn: an elegy for solo cello and orchestra

SHOSTAKOVICH Cello Concerto in E-flat Major

In a career spanning four decades, internationally revered cellist Yo-Yo Ma has dazzled the world as both a musician and a champion for culture's impact on humanity. For one night only, he joins us to honor his close friend, Michael Stern, as part of Stern's final season as music director of the Kansas City Symphony.

I'm pleased to join the orchestra at the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ for the Enigma Variations, and to play celesta on the Shostakovich Concerto.

For tickets, call 816-471-0400.

I'm so pleased to play a concert honoring the work of Dr. Richard Clothier, longtime organist of this congregation, retired professor and head of the music department at Graceland University, and friend. The event will include testimonials about the impact Dr. Clothier has had on so many lives.

Planned repertoire includes:

WILBUR HELD (1914-2015): Prelude on When In Our Music God Is Glorified (ENGLEBERG)

Congregational Hymn: When In Our Music God Is Glorified

ANDREA GABRIELI (c.1533-1585): Canzon detta Qui la dira (Who Will Say?)

LEO SOWERBY (1895-1968): Prelude on MALABAR (Strengthen for Service, Lord)

GUNNAR IDENSTAM (b. 1961): Menuet nordique from Kathedralmusik

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750): Fugue in E-flat Major ("St. Anne"), BWV 552b

Congregational Hymn: For All the Saints

I played the dedicatory concert for this gem of a Casavant pipe organ in this historic western Kansas church in 2019 and have been delighted to be invited to return for annual performances ever since. Learn more about this unique instrument at https://stcorneliuschurch.org/music.

The program, titled "A World of Wonders," is a musical celebration of the fantastic world that surrounds us. You'll hear music from the 1500s through 2022, from Italy, Germany, Nigeria, England, Sweden, and the U.S. Come celebrate a world of wonders with me!

Planned repertoire includes:

ANDREA GABRIELI (c.1533-1585): Canzon detta Qui la dira (Who Will Say?)

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750): "Fiddle" Fugue in D minor, BWV 539b

FELIX MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847), transcr. Samuel P. Warren: Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream

FELA SOWANDE (1905-1987): Obangiji

GUNNAR IDENSTAM (b. 1961): Menuet nordique

JOHANNES MATTHIAS MICHEL (b. 1962): Swing Five: ERHALT UNS, HERR (Keep us, Lord)

BENJAMIN CORNELIUS-BATES (b. 1978): Fantasia on "I Wonder..."

RAY WINKLER (1920-1998), John Hathcock (1919-2000), and Eddie McDuff (1935-1968): Welcome to My World

NOEL RAWSTHORNE (1929-2019): Dancing Feet

LIBBY LARSEN (b. 1950): Tambourines, from Aspects of Glory

This concert, sponsored by St. Luke's Health System, will honor the 30th anniversary of the creation of St. Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center. The day before Mother's Day, take a musical adventure around the world, all from the comfort of Helzberg Hall! I'll guide the journey from the console of the beautiful Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ, and via the magic of music, we'll be visiting different countries and regions in the U.S., the U.K., Europe, Africa, and more. You'll be able to watch hands and feet in action on a large screen on the stage. A young guest may get the chance to play a duet with me. Come and join the adventure!

Admission is free but tickets are required. Tickets will be available April 19, and last year, they were all spoken for within 24 hours! Visit the Kauffman Center box office at https://tickets.kauffmancenter.org/events or call 816-994-7222 to reserve yours.

Planned repertoire includes:

GRAYSTON IVES (b. 1948): Intrada

CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR (1844-1937): Intermezzo from Symphony No. 6 for Organ

FELIX MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847): Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream

FELA SOWANDE (1905-1987): Obangiji

PAUL HALLEY (b. 1952): Outer Hebrides: A Fantasia on Three Traditional Celtic Melodies

GUNNAR IDENSTAM (b. 1961): Menuet nordique

RAY WINKLER (1920-1998), John Hathcock (1919-2000), and Eddie McDuff (1935-1968): Welcome to My World

LEO SOWERBY (1895-1968): Pageant

I'm pleased to present a solo concert sponsored by the Milwaukee chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Three times delayed by COVID concerns, this event has been a long time in planning! Come with me to explore the works of composers and poets through the ages, and share in song with the pipes and people who surround you. Inspired by the Holy Spirit (ruach, the Hebrew word meaning “air in motion”), we can breathe in new life, can con-spire (“breathe together”), and can create music that transforms ourselves and our world.

Planned repertoire includes:

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750): Fugue in E-flat Major, BWV 552b (“St. Anne”)

Congregational Hymn: O That I Had a Thousand Voices (text by Johann Mentzer; Tune, O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE, by Johann König

GEOFFREY WILCKEN (b. 1972): The Love Amazing, Op. 74, No. 1 (2019)

Reading: Each Breath Is Borrowed Air (text by Thomas Troeger)

ELFRIDA ANDREÉ (1841-1929): Organ Symphony No. 1 in B minor

LEO SOWERBY (1895-1968): Prelude on MALEBAR (Strengthen for Service, Lord)

GUNNAR INDENSTAM (b. 1961): Menuet nordique from Katedralmusik

GUSTAV HOLST (1874-1934), transcr. by H.G. Lay: Chaconne, Op. 28, No. 1

Congregational Hymn: When In Our Music God Is Glorified (Text by Fred Pratt Green; Tune, ENGELBERG, by Charles Villiers Stanford

WILBUR HELD (1914-2015): When In Our Music God is Glorified (ENGLEBERG)

I'm so pleased to return to Emmanuel Episcopal for the third season in a row! I love the people there and their warm and wonderfully welcoming environment they have created there. That inspired me to design a program called "A World of Wonders: a musical celebration of the fantastic world that surrounds us."

Admission is free (a freewill offering will be gratefully accepted). I hope you'll join me!

Planned repertoire includes:

GRAYSTON IVES (b. 1948): Intrada

FELIX MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847), transcr. Samuel P. Warren: Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream

FELA SOWANDE (1905-1987): Obangiji

GUNNAR IDENSTAM (b. 1961): Menuet nordique

PAUL HALLEY (b. 1952): Outer Hebrides: A Fantasia on Three Traditional Celtic Melodies

CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921), transcr. Ekaterina Melnikova: Le Carnaval des animaux (The Carnival of the Animals)

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750): Fugue in G Major, "à la Gigue," BWV 577

This celebratory hymnfest will mark the 75th year of the vibrant and meaningful ministry of Village Presbyterian Church. I am pleased to help lead this festival featuring the Village on Mission and Village on Antioch choirs, plus brass, percussion, organ, piano, and YOU! Admission is free (a freewill offering will be gratefully received). Come be part of the congregation and sing with us!

The program includes:

The Church's One Foundation (Samuel J. Sone, Samuel S. Wesley's AURELIA, arr. Paul Manz) - hymn with congregation

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Joachim Neander, tr. Catherine Winkworth, LOBE DEN HERREN, arr. Mark Hayes) - anthem featuring choirs and congregation

Clouds of Witnesses Surround Us (Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr.; ST PAUL by Robert A. Hobby) - anthem featuring choirs and congregation

Lift Every Voice and Sing (James Weldon Johnson, J. Rosamond Johnson's LIFT EVERY VOICE, arr. Roland Carter) - anthem featuring choirs

God's Eternal Vow (Ron Witzke, VILLAGE by Anthony J. Maglione) - new hymn with congregation

I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord (Timothy Dwight, ST. THOMAS adapt. Aaron Williams) - hymn with congregation

When the Poor Ones (Cuando el pobre, EL CAMINO by José Antonio Olivar and Miguel Manzano, tr. George Lockwood, arr. James E. Bobb) - hymn with congregation

For the Beauty of the Earth (Folliot S. Pierpoint, Conrad Kocher's DIX, arr. Jan Kraybill and Cameron Carpenter) - solo

What Does the Lord Require of You? (Jim Strathdee) - hymn with congregation

God Has Work for Us to Do (Carl P. Daw, Jr.; John L. Bell, arr. Daniel Charles Damon) - hymn with congregation

The Promise of Living (Horace Everett, Aaron Copland) - anthem featuring choirs

God's Promised Day (Ron Witzke, tune VILLAGE and anthem by Anthony J. Maglione) - anthem featuring choirs and congregation

Draw the Circle Wide (Gordon Light, tune DRAW THE CIRCLE and arr. by Mark A. Miller) - hymn with congregation

I'm pleased to appear on The Hymn Society's "100 Years of Song" interview series. For more information, visit https://thehymnsociety.org/100-years-of-song-interview-series/. For past interviews, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmTFMiXIhnrcf8kmZ1F62JyTIV6ZdpeeD.

These film concerts are so much fun, with a giant screen above the live orchestra playing the music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this event.

From the KC Symphony's website:

Justin Freer, guest conductor

In the epic finale to the Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war! "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert" brings the final chapter to the big screen as your Kansas City Symphony performs every note of the epic score from Alexandre Desplat. The stakes have never been higher!

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23)

These film concerts are so much fun, with a giant screen above the live orchestra playing the music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this event.

From the KC Symphony's website:

Justin Freer, guest conductor

In the epic finale to the Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war! "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert" brings the final chapter to the big screen as your Kansas City Symphony performs every note of the epic score from Alexandre Desplat. The stakes have never been higher!

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23)

These film concerts are so much fun, with a giant screen above the live orchestra playing the music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this event.

From the KC Symphony's website:

Justin Freer, guest conductor

In the epic finale to the Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war! "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert" brings the final chapter to the big screen as your Kansas City Symphony performs every note of the epic score from Alexandre Desplat. The stakes have never been higher!

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23)

These film concerts are so much fun, with a giant screen above the live orchestra playing the music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this event.

From the KC Symphony's website:

Justin Freer, guest conductor

In the epic finale to the Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war! "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert" brings the final chapter to the big screen as your Kansas City Symphony performs every note of the epic score from Alexandre Desplat. The stakes have never been higher!

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23)

I'll be organist for the St. Andrew's choir, under the direction of Dr. Tom Vozzella, for this performance of Fauré's music on Palm Sunday evening.

Planned repertoire includes:

Tu es Petrus (St Andrew's Singers, Asher Tillman, soloist)

Ave Verum, Op. 55 (St Andrew's Singers, Lauren Auge, soloist)

Ecce Fidelis servus, Op. 54 (St Andrew's Singers)

Ave Maria, Op. 93 (Ashley Benes and Lauren Auge, soloists)

Ave Verum, Op. 65, No. 1 (Jed Kruger and Patrick Graham, soloists)

Tantum Ergo, Op. 65, No. 2 (Ashley Benes, Allison Fikejs, and Cathy Vozzella, soloists)

Requiem, Op. 48 (St Andrew's Singers, orchestra, and soloists)

From the KC Symphony website:

Matthias Pintscher, music director designate

Philippe Quint, violin

LEONARD BERNSTEIN Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

ERROLLYN WALLEN Violin Concerto (KCS co-commission)

CHARLES IVES Three Places in New England

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances

Matthias Pintscher and the musicians of the Kansas City Symphony made an immediate connection with one another in their electrifying performances together last March. Because of that incredible creative synergy, Pintscher is now music director designate and he returns with another outstanding program. Savor this wonderful music in a gripping performance by Matthias Pintscher and your Kansas City Symphony.

Filled with pulsing drive and spellbinding harmonies, Errollyn Wallen’s new Violin Concerto draws on her eclectic sensibilities. Born in Belize and now living in a lighthouse in northern Scotland, Wallen is fascinated with the rhythm of life and her music reflects deep listening. American violinist Philippe Quint returns to Kansas City to bring this new concerto to life. Quint’s opulent sound and insightful approach to new works are the perfect match for Wallen’s music.

I played the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ during Pintscher's program with the KCS last March, and I'll be back at the organ for the Ives work in this performance. I can't wait to perform with Maestro Pintscher again!

From the KC Symphony website:

Matthias Pintscher, music director designate

Philippe Quint, violin

LEONARD BERNSTEIN Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

ERROLLYN WALLEN Violin Concerto (KCS co-commission)

CHARLES IVES Three Places in New England

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances

Matthias Pintscher and the musicians of the Kansas City Symphony made an immediate connection with one another in their electrifying performances together last March. Because of that incredible creative synergy, Pintscher is now music director designate and he returns with another outstanding program. Savor this wonderful music in a gripping performance by Matthias Pintscher and your Kansas City Symphony.

Filled with pulsing drive and spellbinding harmonies, Errollyn Wallen’s new Violin Concerto draws on her eclectic sensibilities. Born in Belize and now living in a lighthouse in northern Scotland, Wallen is fascinated with the rhythm of life and her music reflects deep listening. American violinist Philippe Quint returns to Kansas City to bring this new concerto to life. Quint’s opulent sound and insightful approach to new works are the perfect match for Wallen’s music.

I played the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ during Pintscher's program with the KCS last March, and I'll be back at the organ for the Ives work in this performance. I can't wait to perform with Maestro Pintscher again!