Folly Jazz Series: Helen Sung meets Bach Aria Soloists
This MUST-SEE concert event will feature sensational Guggenheim Fellow and award-winning jazz pianist/composer Helen Sung, performing the world premiere of Sung’s multi-movement fusion of jazz and classical music with Bach Aria Soloists, commissioned by BAS in honor of their 25th Anniversary!
With her background as a classical pianist and violinist, Ms. Sung’s new composition is inspired by J.S.Bach, and includes the poem, “The Place where Heaven Fell” by poet R.S. Gwynn, incorporating jazz improvisation to produce a brilliant synthesis of jazz and classical. Ms. Sung will also collaborate with BAS on selections integrating jazz improvisation with timeless Bach master pieces, as well as jazz standards at the historic Folly Theater.
Tickets for this event available from The Folly Theater Box Office. Call 816-474-4444 or visit FollyTheater.org for tickets and more information.
All seats are now open to the public. Subscribers should call The Folly Theater box office to purchase their discounted tickets with priority seating for The Folly Jazz event. Tickets are issued on a first come, first served basis.
Helen Sung on how Bach relates to Jazz
Elizabeth Suh Lane, Bach Aria Soloists’ Founder-Artistic Director, interviews jazz pianist Helen Sung about how Bach relates to Jazz.
Helen Sung is an acclaimed jazz pianist and composer, and a 2021 Guggenheim Fellow. A native of Houston, Texas, and graduate of its High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), she eschewed her classical piano upbringing after a jazz epiphany during undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Helen went on to become part of the inaugural class of the Thelonious Monk Institute (now the Herbie Hancock Institute) at the New England Conservatory of Music. Her newest album Quartet+ (Sunnyside Records), garnered a 4.5 star DownBeat review and inclusion in its "Best of 2021 Albums" list, and a JazzTimes cover story (January 2022 issue), while previous releases Sung With Words (Stricker Street), a collaborative project with renowned poet Dana Gioia, and Anthem For A New Day (Concord Jazz) topped the jazz charts. In addition to her own band, Helen has performed with such luminaries as the late Clark Terry, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Regina Carter, Terri Lyne Carrington, Cecile McLorin Salvant, and the Mingus Big Band. Recent activities of note include Re-Orientation: Asian American Artists Out Loud (made possible by a Chamber Music America Digital Residency grant): provoked by anti-Asian violence, Helen teamed her quartet with a poet, a hip-hop artist/rapper, and an installation artist in a series of interdisciplinary events to celebrate the range and diversity of Asian American artistry. Helen's 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship is being applied toward a mutli-movement composition for big band; one of the movements, "Wayne's World," won the 2022 BMI Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize. Helen has served on the jazz faculties of the Berklee College of Music and the Juilliard School. She is currently visiting faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and an Associate Professor at Columbia University, where she also was the inaugural jazz artist-in-residence at its Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute exploring the intersection of jazz and neuroscience. Helen is a Steinway Artist.
Learn more at https://helensung.com/.
With guest Sascha Groschang, cello
Sascha Groschang, cellist, has performed extensively across the United States, Europe and Asia. She has appeared at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall numerous times, and gave her solo debut recital at Carnegie Hall in 2009. She has been a soloist and lecturer at the Thailand International Composition Festival, performed for the King of Malaysia with the Kuala Lumpur International Festival Orchestra, and traveled all across China on two tours with the Mantovani Pops Orchestra. She has shared the stage with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, The Eagles, Vince Gill, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael Bublé, Peter Gabriel, Josh Groban, Sarah Mclachlan, Idina Menzel, Amy Grant and her recording credits include NBC, Atlantic, and Rhino Records.
Learn more at https://www.cellolady.com/.
Vesper Concerts presents: Bach Aria Soloists SPECTRUM
Vesper Concerts presents: Bach Aria Soloists SPECTRUM
Vesper Concerts provides the greater Omaha community with unique, memorable, and accessible music experiences that engage, educate, and inspire both patrons and performers.
Visit Vesper Concerts for more information.
Vesper Concerts provides the greater Omaha community with unique, memorable, and accessible music experiences that engage, educate, and inspire both patrons and performers.
Vesper Concerts began on September 25, 1988, with a single concert to dedicate the newly-installed Hutching-McFarland-Beaudry organ at Presbyterian Church of the Cross. A program of chamber music in what would become the Organ Vesper Series, then Vesper Concerts in 2011, was played by a group of Omaha musicians named for the occasion, The Organ Plus Chamber Players. In the thirty-one years that followed, Vesper Concerts has showcased local, national, and international talent, including nearly 250 concerts by hundreds of performers and many ensembles, both large and small.
Chamber Music is a vital part of the performing arts, as audiences look to make a personal connection with both musicians and their music and seek smaller venues for concerts. Vesper Concerts looks forward to presenting multi-disciplinary and diverse chamber music ensembles, offering new compositions, and making a connection to the Omaha community and beyond through music education and outreach. We look forward to the next thirty years.
Bach Aria Soloists presents: The Adventures of Don Quixote
Season 25 marks the triumphant return of Bach Aria Soloists’ original production:
The Adventures of Don Quixote, highlighting the most popular scenes from Cervantes’ literary masterpiece Don Quixote!
“Bach Aria Soloistsʼ remarkably imaginative program ‘The Adventures of Don Quixote’ enchanted the audience…” Kansas City Star
Actor Jerry Mañan portrays the famous knight and Cervantes himself in six scenes adapted by Kansas City Star columnist Patrick Neas. The beguiling backdrop of 17th c. Spanish Baroque dances and canzones accompanies Cervantes’ classic tale, performed by Bach Aria Soloists and curated by BAS Founder-Artistic Director Elizabeth Suh Lane, including Telemann’s charming Don Quixote Suite.
This event will take place at the new Zhou B Art Center in the historic Kansas City Jazz District in partnership with the Zhou B Art Foundation of Kansas City.
Adults $40 | Students $20
Jerry is excited to be making his debut with Bach Aria Soloists, to tell the story of Don Quixote! Recent productions include Little Women as Laurie with Kansas City Actors Theater, Refuge as The Wolf at The Unicorn Theatre, and The Disappointments with KCPublic Theatre. Jerry also participated in a nation & city wide tour with What If Puppets in their original show Animal Amigos. In 2019, Jerry received the Best Classical Acting award at KCACTF (Region V). Other credits include - Heart of America Shakespeare's The Tempest, ShakesFear, Shakespeare in Love, Much Ado about Nothing; KCAT's Dot, The Pests; KC Public Theater's Miss Julie, Oedipus the King; Spilled Milk, Heirlooms at The Blackbox; The New Theatre's Sherwood. Film Credits: Midwest Skidmark. Radio credits - KCART's The Hitchhiker, Kansas City: 1924, Mama Knows the Game, The Voice from the Other Side, & more; KC Public Theatre's El Sueño Que Mueve el Sol. Jerry is a graduate from Avila University. By day, he works as a graphic designer. Jerry is a company member of Kansas City Actors Theatre.
Justin Barron, Sancho Panza
Justin Barron is a professional actor based here in Kansas City. He has had the opportunity to work at local theaters such as Unicorn, KC Rep, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Coterie, Musical Theatre Heritage, KC Public Theatre, and more. Justin earned a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Missouri. When not performing, Justin runs his own small business - Tipsy Bard KC - where he hosts numerous role-playing events throughout the KC area.
With guest Beau Bledsoe, guitar
Beau Bledsoe performs and records classical music, jazz and folkloric music from around the world as he seeks to integrate different musical cultures with diverse audiences. Through his many varied projects and ensembles, Beau has toured extensively throughout Europe, Russia, South America and North America in addition to producing fifteen recordings under his recording label Tzigane. Beau is currently artistic director and founder of Ensemble Iberica which explores the music of Spain, Portugal and other areas of the world connected to the Iberian diaspora.
With guest Sascha Groschang, cello
Sascha Groschang, cellist, has performed extensively across the United States, Europe and Asia. She has appeared at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall numerous times, and gave her solo debut recital at Carnegie Hall in 2009. She has been a soloist and lecturer at the Thailand International Composition Festival, performed for the King of Malaysia with the Kuala Lumpur International Festival Orchestra, and traveled all across China on two tours with the Mantovani Pops Orchestra. She has shared the stage with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, The Eagles, Vince Gill, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael Bublé, Peter Gabriel, Josh Groban, Sarah Mclachlan, Idina Menzel, Amy Grant and her recording credits include NBC, Atlantic, and Rhino Records.
Yo Soy La Locura Henry Bailly excerpt from Bach Aria Soloists' Adventures of Don Quixote
Yo Soy La Locura Henry Bailly excerpt from Bach Aria Soloists' Adventures of Don Quixote
The Adventures of Don Quixote Program
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The Zhou B Art Center is a pioneering cultural institution dedicated to fostering artistic excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. Located in the 18th and Vine District, the center provides a dynamic platform for artists, patrons, and the community to engage with the arts. Its facilities include 45 studio spaces, 3 private event spaces, a sculpture garden and exhibition space. The Zhou B Art Center KC will feature a rotation of formal exhibitions to exhibit resident, local, national and international artists. The goal of this interdisciplinary arts building is to foster a vibrant community that extends beyond the arts by actively collaborating with the people of Kansas City through partnerships and a shared vision.
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The Zhou B Art Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to empowering artists and fostering a sustainable arts ecosystem by providing a supportive environment for learning, experimentation and the exploration of their creative spirit. The non-profit’s initiative towards inclusivity and accessibility can be seen with its various means of community outreach, partnerships, subsiding programs, and advocacy efforts.The center will serve as a bridge connecting local artists with regional and national art professionals acting as a beacon for artistic discovery and intercultural understanding. The generosity of donors and partners allows the Zhou B Art Foundation to further its mission to nurture a thriving arts community locally.
BAS’ Annual Holiday Concert
Join Bach Aria Soloists for our beloved Holiday Concert in historic St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, with heartwarming music that includes soul-stirring arias from Bach, Handel and Rorem, plus traditional carols to sing along, and an uplifting Gospel favorite! Fill your holiday spirit with Bach Aria Soloists on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 7:30 pm.
“Mellifluous baritone,” [San Francisco Classical Voice] Cameron J. Rolling makes his debut with BAS from the Detroit Opera!
Adults $40
Students $20
A message from Cameron J. Rolling
Baritone Cameron J. Rolling is increasingly recognized for his "mellifluous baritone" (Classical Voice San Francisco) in the fields of opera, oratorio, symphonic, and recital performance. This fall, he will be a resident artist with the Detroit Opera Company performing in Verdi’s La Traviata and covering in Mozart’s Così fan tutte as well as Central Park Five by Anthony Davis.
As a 2023 Young Artist at the prestigious Merola Opera Program, Cameron performed the role of Junius in Benjamin Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia. He will spend the summer of 2024 as a Young Artist for Glimmerglass Festival where he will sing the role of Sylvano in Cavalli’s La Calisto and cover the roles of Mr. Lister/Karl Marx/Voiceover/Solomon Weil/Witness #8 in Kevin Puts’ Elizabeth Cree. In November 2024, he will make his symphonic debut as the bass soloist for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Savannah Philharmonic.
Recent performances include the role of Guglielmo in Mozart’s Così fan tutte (UMKC Opera), bass soloist in Bach’s Jesu Meine Freude and Mendelssohn’s Elijah (UMKC), as well as bass
soloist in Handel’s Messiah (Spire Chamber Ensemble). He has also served as chorus master for Massenet’s Chérubin (UMKC Opera).
Cameron holds Master of Music degrees in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance from University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory (UMKC) and a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education with concentrations in voice and conducting from Mercer University. Cameron is from Waycross, Georgia.
Bach Unlocked featuring Dr. Christoph Wolff
BAS pays homage to our namesake with an all-BACH concert welcoming back the world’s preeminent scholar of Bach, Dr. Christoph Wolff, Founding Director of Leipzig Bach-Archiv and Adams University Professor Emeritus at Harvard.
Dr. Wolff will share his unparalleled perspective on the music and life of JS Bach with BAS performing Bach’s solo and chamber music masterpieces, highlighting their artistry and the sheer genius of Bach. This is a one-of-a-kind concert that can only be seen with Bach Aria Soloists!
Adults $40
Students $20
Elizabeth Suh Lane interviews Dr. Christoph Wolff
Dr. Wolff on studying Bach
Dr. Wolff on the relevance of Bach
Dr. Wolff on improvisation
With guest Dr. Paula Kosower, cello
Paula Kosower, cellist, is an active performer and teacher who frequently appears with numerous ensembles. In recent seasons she has performed with Fulcrum Point New Music Project, for the MusicNOW series at Chicago Symphony Center, the Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Music Series, the Dame Myra Hess concert series, the Wheaton College Artist Series, International Chamber Artists concerts, and programs on WFMT 98.7. She frequently serves as a substitute player in the cello sections of the Chicago Symphony and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She is also a member of the contemporary ensemble Picosa, who presents a full season of concerts throughout the Chicago area.
Ms. Kosower teaches applied lessons, cello pedagogy and orchestra repertoire classes and is an adjunct faculty member at several universities in the Chicago area including Northwestern, DePaul, and North Park universities. She teaches private cello lessons for pre-college students at the Northwestern University Music Academy. During the summer season she performs for music festivals such as the Ravinia Festival, the Zenith Festival in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Midsummer’s Music Festival in Wisconsin. She also has taught at area chamber music camps organized by Midwest Young Artists, the Chicago Chamber Music Festival, and DePaul University. She received her B.M. and M.M. degree at Indiana University where she was a scholarship student and a graduate teaching assistant of Janos Starker. She received her D.M. degree at Northwestern University where she studied with Hans Jorgen-Jensen.
The Museum of Art + Light presents: First Impressions Gala
On Saturday, October 12, 2024, the Museum of Art + Light (MoA+L) will be hosting First Impressions Gala, the museum’s inaugural event.
This inaugural event will invite over 500 community members, artists, and collaborators to celebrate this major milestone and dedication of the first-ever contemporary art museum in Manhattan, Kansas. Bach Aria Soloists will perform!
Visit the Museum of Art + Light for more information.
The Museum of Art + Light’s mission is to bridge 21st century technology with the visual and performing arts to:
Incite positive emotion,
Cultivate meaningful connections,
Encourage artistic exploration, and
Spark innovation.
“We have been collecting major works of art for over four decades. Yet the truth is, one never feels they truly own great art. One is only a caretaker of it for a brief period. We believe art is meant to be shared. We had the idea to create an art museum for a long time. But we also knew that simply building a traditional art museum would not make the impact we wanted on the 21st century visitor—people who communicate, get their news, learn, and play on a plethora of technology devices, the museum had to be much more. It had to be a place where people from all walks of life, were totally immersed in an electrifying experience that was so captivating, it would cause them to want to engage in the artistic process, explore the meaning behind real works of art, and as a result expand their horizons, promising to elevate their quality of life. Developing the first contemporary art museum to blend immersive, digital, and physical artistic experiences under one roof from inception, we believe, will lead to cultural transformations yet unseen.”— Tracey H., & Robert L. DeBruyn & Ronald Bowman & Stanley E. Zukowfsky
Bach Aria Soloists' 25th Birthday BASH (Bach Aria Soloists Hausparty)
CELEBRATE 25 YEARS with BAS at the beautiful Guild KC and SUPPORT Bach Aria Soloists beyond 25! BAS welcomes back jazz pianist Roger Wilder. We will invite guest musicians to jam with us.
Enjoy signature cocktails with your friends. Indulge in delicious food from Local Seasons: “With locally grown and foraged ingredients. The best caterer in Kansas City!” exclaims Feast Magazine. Splurge on our Exclusive 2 Flash Auction items and Luxury Spirits Raffle [Springbank Campbeltown Malt Whisky 10YO, Blanton’s “world’s best Bourbon” Straight from the Barrel, and Dom Perignon vintage 2010!] all to raise funds and fun for Bach Aria Soloists. Click here to purchase raffle tickets.
Attire: Dress in the period of your Favorite Composer/or Black Tie welcome. Think Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th c. or Contemporary (today). A prize will be given for the Best Costume!
You only turn 25 once, friends. See you there!
$125 per person