Rudolph and his friends, Clarice, Hermey the Elf, and Yukon Cornelius learn what makes you different makes you special. As one reviewer put it, “If adorable is at the top of your Christmas list, save an afternoon or evening for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical... as rich as eggnog!"

Brian Wilson is a deeply revered figure in popular music, the main creative force behind some of the most cherished recordings in rock history. He was barely out of his teens when he started to make gold albums featuring classics like “Surfer Girl,” “In My Room,” “I Get Around” and “Don’t Worry Baby.” Wilson’s ground-breaking work on the album Pet Sounds and the single “Good Vibrations” re-wrote the rules of what a pop album or single could be. His solo record SMiLE, released in 2004, had been anticipated by music fans since the late 1960s.

Wilson is a Kennedy Center Honors recipient, a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a multiple-GRAMMY Award-winner. With the Beach Boys, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and honored with The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.

One of the most influential musicals in history, Show Boat redefined how musical stories were told. The landmark collaboration between Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II follows the lives of the performers, stagehands and dock workers on the Cotton Blossom, a Mississippi River show boat, over 40 years from 1887 to 1927.

The Nance tells the story of burlesque’s stereotypically camp character and master of comic double entendre, almost always played by a straight man (so to speak). Mayor LaGuardia wants to clean up the city before the 1937 World’s Fair, and one of his targets is burlesque. What happens when our nance is gay…and has fallen in love? The Nance - equal parts drama and comedy - includes generous splashes of outrageous song-and-dance burlesque sketches.

Artistic Director Michael Grayman-Parkhurst and Nicole Marie Green co-direct, continuing their collaboration from 2017’s Casa Valentina. Their assembled cast: Andy Perkins (Chauncey Miles), Katie Gilchrist (Sylvie), Timothy Michael Houston (Ned), Ashley Personett (Joan), R.H. Wilhoit (Efram) and Sarah Montoya (Carmen). Perkins was featured in 2017’s Casa Valentina; Personett in 2016’s Nine. The rest of the cast are making their Spinning Tree debuts.

Ernest Melton was born in Goldsboro, NC. He relocated to Kansas City, MO (his mother’s hometown) at age 10. He picked up the sax that same year when he was enrolled in Longfellow Academy. Bored with the classical curriculum of that institution. Ernest studied more contemporary genres of music and the guitar until the age of 14 when he joined his first jazz program through the American Jazz Museum. By then he was playing mostly tenor sax. He joined his jazz band at Lincoln High School and many other programs around Kansas City. Naturally excelling, he left school at age 16 to practice on his own.

With kind neighbors and a very lenient mother, Ernest was allowed to practice his sax, blast albums, and write compositions at any hour of the day. It was during this time he found his first major influences in jazz like Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Kenny Garrett and Pharoah Sanders. Pharoah’s polyphony (or growls) were like echoes of his father – a Primitive Baptist preacher and became a big part of his playing. An avid composer as well, Ernest studied with tutors in classical orchestration, big band arranging and Afro-Cuban drumming. He cites Charles Mingus, Igor Stravinsky, and Wayne Shorter as his favorite all around composers and still tries to implement their techniques in his music today. After being accepted into Berklee College of Music he decided not to go and started his career playing music in bands of every genre around Kansas City. While still in his early 20s Ernest has played all over the country and plans to travel abroad.

Feigned identities, illicit intrigues and spurned lovers frolic and mourn within a hothouse of love and insanity in Mozart’s La finta giardiniera (The pretend garden-girl). UMKC Conservatory Opera explores a brilliant bouquet of tender lovers and even more tender egos. This opera buffa with roots in commedia but overtones of the more dramatic style of the period is a tale of betrayal and redemption that plays out in tuneful arias and intricate ensembles. A delightful romp mixed with opera seria to keep the warm and wild nights of summer rolling right into the chill of November. Sung in Italian.

Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly, cold-hearted creditor, continues his stingy ways on Christmas Eve. He rejects a dinner invitation and all the good tidings of the season from his nephew, Fred; he yells at charity workers; and he overworks his earnest employee, Bob Cratchit. Until, he is visited one-by-one, by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, who show him the errors of his ways until he ultimately discovers what’s really worth celebrating at Christmas-time and beyond.

Two sublime choral works, Mozart’s Ave verum corpus and Bach’s “O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht,” begin this beautiful program of reflection and transcendence. Then John Adams’ On the Transmigration of Souls evokes a “memory space” to contemplate and commemorate the events of 9/11. One of the grandest symphonies of the early Romantic era, Schubert’s Ninth, “The Great,” caps off the concert with poetic genius and heroic melodies. Join us for a post-concert talk. Tickets from $25.

Michael Stern, conductor

Kansas City Symphony Chorus
Charles Bruffy, chorus director

Allegro Choirs of Kansas City
Christy Elsner, founder and artistic director 

W.A. MOZART Ave verum corpus

J.S. BACH “O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht,” BWV 118

JOHN ADAMS On the Transmigration of Souls

SCHUBERT Symphony No. 9, “The Great”

Todd Wilkinson is the Instructor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Studies at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. He is a native of Kansas City, a devoted husband and father of three, and a free-lance musician/composer living in Overland Park, Kansas. For more than thirty years, Wilkinson has dedicated himself to the promotion and development of music and young musicians. He has a passion for all styles of saxophone performance and is a respected member of the Kansas City musical community.

As a jazz performer, Wilkinson’s major teachers include pianists Dr. Tom Ferguson, Dr. Robert Washut, Dr. Robert Miller, and Professor Chuck Marohnic at Arizona State University. In Texas, he spent time with M. Eugene Hall, founder of the jazz program at the University of North Texas, and worked closely with Trumpeter/ Arranger, G. Darrell Holt. Later at the University of Northern Colorado he was associated with Professor Daniel Gailey, and I.A.J.E. Hall of Fame member, Dr. Gene Aitken.

Wilkinson has conducted Honors Jazz Bands throughout the Midwest and has worked as a clinician/adjudicator in Washington State, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Texas, Colorado, and Missouri. He has appeared as a sideman with scores of major performers, most notably Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Patti Page, Kevin Mahogany, the Kansas City Chiefs T.D. Pack Band, the Temptations, Diane Schurr, Karrin Allyson, Natalie Cole, and Wayne Newton.

Through interactive musical activities and exciting chamber music performances, children will learn about the instruments of the orchestra on stage in Helzberg Hall. Events include a brief performance and a hands-on introduction to the instruments through the Jamie and Bush Helzberg Instrument Petting Zoo. Tickets go on sale 60 days prior to each performance and are available at kcsymphony.org or (816) 471-0400. For more information and program details, visit kcsymphony.org or contact Education Manager Stephanie Brimhall at (816) 218-2639 or sbrimhall@kcsymphony.org.

Saxophonist Gerald Dunn has been featured in bands with Illinois Jacquet and Bobby Watson. He plays an inventive, contemporary sound and knows how to capture an audience’s attention. Pianist Everett Freeman has toured with Oleta Adams, performing with a deliciously intricate yet fluid grace. There are few Kansas City jazz musicians whom drummer Michael Warren hasn’t backed. The Jazz Disciples give him unique opportunities to stretch. Bassist DeAndre Manning provides a solid footing.

Celebrate the joy of the Christmas season through its beloved songs and carols. Featuring our signature blend of sacred and secular, popular and traditional, this Kansas City tradition has been called “the best Christmas show in town” and “Kansas City’s most consistently stirring Christmas show for 15 years” by critics and audiences alike. From gospel to contemporary to classical, this intimate cabaret revue features something for everyone, making it the perfect holiday tradition for the whole family!

Maestro Bernard Labadie returns to the Kansas City Symphony for this sparkling Thanksgiving weekend program. Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto is the best-known solo trumpet and orchestra work for good reason, overflowing with catchy melodies and featuring our own James B. and Annabel Nutter Principal Trumpet Julian Kaplan. Equally stunning is Mozart’s final symphony, “Jupiter,” an extraordinary work with a breathtaking finale. Tickets from $25.

Bernard Labadie, guest conductor

Julian Kaplan, trumpet

F.J. HAYDN Symphony No. 26, “Lamentatione”

F.J. HAYDN Trumpet Concerto

W.A. MOZART Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”

Dré Synth came into music as a child, following the steps of his grandmother. Dré was drawn to the soulful, rhythmic sound of gospel. By age 9, Dré had become a prominent force on the piano, showing off in class and at church.

It was in Dallas that Dré was introduced to jazz, fusion, and funk, instantly falling in love. His passion was to become Handcock, George Duke and Bobby Sparks. Dré also began to develop his own style and approach to music.

Dré is currently the keyboardist for Masters of Funk Lakeside Band Cameo and Yarborough & Peoples. Known for his spectacular solos and his high energy performances, he has proven to be a show stopper.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Synth has worked with some fantastic R&B artists such as Tank, Ginuwine, Robin Thicke, and Marsha Ambrosius, and jazz greats Kirk Whalum, Mr. Wayman Tisdale, and the legendary Roy Ayers. Working on his latest project, "Return of the Synth," Dré is excited to share his gift with the world and wants to give the joy of music to everyone.

There’s a quiet storm in Kansas City. And it swirls around the captivating, elegant, mystifying and delightful music of singer Ida McBeth.

Ida’s musical style is so unique that it is hard to classify. Over the years, her repertoire has included pop-style ballads, jazz and blues, show tunes, funk, R&B, gospel and well known standards.

Critics have described her as “a jazz singer,” “a blues singer,” “a pop singer” and “a cabaret singer.” Still others have referred to her as “a story teller,” “a professor emeritus of body language,” “a consummate actress” and “the complete entertainer.” A song stylist is the title Ida prefers.

By the age of five, Ida McBeth knew she wanted to be a singer. Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Ida was provided early exposure to a variety of talented vocalists by her mother. These singers included such greats as Nancy Wilson, Arthur Prysock, Nat King Cole, Bill Withers, Gladys Knight and Sarah Vaughan.

The Louis Neal Big Band plays traditional big band music as well as contemporary hits. Comprised of five saxes, four trumpets, four trombones, and a rhythm section, this big band puts one in the mindset of Duke Ellington or Count Basie.

The band was formed in the mid 1990s and consists of Kansas City’s finest jazz musicians. The band plays for notable venues in and around the Kansas City area such as the Blue Room on 18th & Vine and The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Comprised of industry veterans, the Louis Neal Big Band prides itself on professionalism and a high-quality performance.

Celebrate the sounds of the season with the Kansas City Symphony in a program designed for children and adults with additional needs. This holiday program will be specially adapted so children and adults of all abilities, along with their caregivers, may enjoy symphonic music in a safe and welcoming environment. Tickets are $10 per person.

UMKC's Jazz Studies Program is known for helping each student develop his or her individual sound and for creating an encouraging environment.   We believe that each artist's journey is unique and we look forward to helping each individual find his or her creative voice.

In addition to boasting an encouraging environment, Jazz Studies students have Jazz Friends on their side.

Founded in 2000, Jazz Friends aims to encourage the creative artistry and talent of UMKC Conservatory students and faculty, heighten the eminence of the Conservatory's Jazz Studies Program and celebrate the legacy of Kansas City jazz. Jazz Friends has provided scholarships, financial support for travel to national and international competitions, unique orchestrations for the performing ensembles and funding for guest artists.

UMKC's Jazz Studies students have won awards at The University of North Texas, University of Notre Dame, Elmhurst College, and UNC-Greeley. Our students have toured Japan and Europe, have been featured at the JEN conference and have performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival.  Alumni and students are bandleaders, chart-making recording artists, Betty Carter Fellows, graduate assistants, educators and have won awards at most of the international jazz solo competitions.

by Sarah DeLappe

A Co-production with UMKC Department of Theatre

Left Quad. Right Quad. Lunge. A fierce girl’s soccer team warms up for games and practice. From the safety of their indoor soccer field, the team kicks around everything from balls to politics. Each one struggles to hang on to her individuality while remaining a part of the group. Take a first-hand look at nine young women exploring who they are and who they want to become in a complicated world.

The Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra is the region's premier salsa & latin jazz ensemble. Founded and directed by Pablo Sanhueza, this collective integrates intercultural and intergenerational local, national and international artists, to preserve, project and foster Afro-Latin American orchestral and social dance music. Vibrant and timeless music for international all-ages dance and listening audiences.

Choreography by Devon Carney
Music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky
With Kansas City Symphony

Last year, Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker awed Kennedy Center audiences in Washington, D.C., and was hailed as “positively oozing charm” and being “especially lovely with its bright, fresh décor.” by The Washington Post. The classic, Victorian-era story by E.T.A. Hoffman featuring Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Dr. Drosselmeier and the Sugar Plum Fairy is a magical theatrical experience wrapped with exquisite costumes, grand sets and captivating choreography. Let your wonder ignite and feel the glimmer once more as your childhood dreams return and inspire you to IMAGINE AGAIN.