Media Contact: Jeff Barker, (816) 218-2626, jbarker@kcsymphony.org

KANSAS CITY, Mo. | April 27, 2021 — The Kansas City Symphony announced today they are welcoming in-person audiences to three concerts this May and June, 2021, inside their performance home at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

“We have been patiently awaiting the time we can again perform for an audience in Helzberg Hall,” commented Executive Director Danny Beckley. “We have been working with the University of Kansas Health System throughout the pandemic. They have advised us on how to maximize the safety of all involved in the production of our online concerts at MySymphonySeat.org, as well as on when the time would be right to welcome back in-person audiences. Working together with the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, we believe that we can safely perform for live audiences once again. There will of course be protocols in place, such as seat distancing requirements, mask mandates and extensive cleaning procedures. But it is time for our return to in-person attendance, and we couldn’t be more excited.”

Music Director Michael Stern underscores what an emotional moment this is for everyone connected to the Kansas City Symphony. “We will again feel the exhilaration of being together with our audiences in Helzberg Hall,” says Stern. “At no point during this season or last did the music ever stop for us. We brought music around the community all season long, and I was grateful for all the internet connectedness that our digital world afforded us. But there is no substitute for the special communion that occurs between all of us on stage and those listening in person, surrounded by the miraculous acoustics of Helzberg Hall. The varied repertoire and balance of the concerts over these last weeks of our season was planned not only to bring back compelling programs performed live, but also, despite social distancing limits on stage, to allow virtually every Kansas City Symphony musician the opportunity to reconnect with our audience. After this long year of postponements, cancelations, distancing and absences, bringing music back to Kansas City is more urgent, necessary and meaningful than ever.”

Kristin Velicer, Acting Associate Principal Second Violin and Chair of the Kansas City Symphony Musicians’ Committee, adds, “The musicians are absolutely thrilled to welcome our audiences back to Helzberg Hall for in-person concerts! We cannot wait to bring the excitement, energy and beauty of live performances to everyone. The musicians are so grateful and so appreciative of the support the community has shown us throughout this past year. We are all looking forward to filling our beautiful hall with music once again and celebrating a joyous reunion with our wonderful audiences.”

Current 2020/21 Classical Series subscribers will be able to select tickets for the following upcoming concerts:

Thursday, June 17 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 18 at 11 a.m.
Saturday, June 19 at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 20 at 2 p.m.
Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
DEBUSSY/FRADIANI Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
BARBER Medea
F.J. HAYDN Symphony No. 64, “Tempo mutantur”

Current Symphony Classical Series subscribers are able to select tickets based on their current number of subscribed seats and their section. For example, if your subscription includes two seats, you may select two seats for each of the upcoming concerts with in-person attendance within the seating area of your subscription. You may choose any of the available days and times for each performance regardless of whether you have a Friday, Saturday or Sunday subscription. The Kansas City, Missouri Health Department has given approval for us to seat 20% of the hall, so it is very likely your seating assignment for the May and June concerts will be different than your current subscription seats.

Please contact the Symphony to reserve tickets for the May and June concerts. You can easily choose concerts by completing the online form at kcsymphony.org/ticketing. You may also contact the Symphony Box Office by calling (816) 471-0400, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Health and safety information and protocols are available on the Symphony’s website at kcsymphony.org/covid-19-procedures.

 

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About the Kansas City Symphony
Founded in 1982, the Kansas City Symphony has established itself as a major force in the cultural life of the community. Praised for performances of uncompromising standard, the orchestra is the largest in the region and enjoys a national reputation under the artistic leadership of Music Director Michael Stern. The Symphony performs more than 130 concerts each year, welcomes guests of international acclaim as part of its Classical and Pops series, and serves as the orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

Complementing its full schedule of concerts, the Symphony enriches the lives of Kansas City residents by providing music education opportunities for children and adults, such as KinderKonzerts, Young People’s Concerts, an instrument petting zoo and concert comments. Highlights each season include a range of free master classes, events and concerts reaching more than 250,000 community members.

The Symphony has released eight highly praised CDs to date with Reference Recordings. The latest release features Jonathan Leshnoff’s Symphony No. 3 and his piano concerto performed by Joyce Yang. The Symphony and Michael Stern also have recorded for the Naxos label. Kansas City’s new classical music radio station, 91.9 ClassicalKC, broadcasts Kansas City Symphony performances each week. For more information on the Symphony, please visit kcsymphony.org.