Grammy nominated Kansas City Chorale is stepping out for spring concert at WWI Museum

There are few spots in Kansas City more lovely in the springtime than the grounds of the National World War WWI Museum and Memorial. The Kansas City Chorale led by Charles Bruffy will add its own touch of beauty to this special location when they present “Spring Song” at 2 p.m. April 3.

This outdoor concert will observe all pandemic safety protocols, including social distancing and performers wearing masks, with the audience requested to do likewise.

“Frankly, I want people to have a good time,” Bruffy said. “I want to give them an opportunity to get outside with safe protocols, face masks and distancing, when the days will be nice. We’re just going to sing a concert full of favorites, nice friendly music that isn’t so dependent on indoor acoustics.”

Bruffy has spent decades with the Kansas City Chorale creating a unique, rich sound, which has resulted in several Grammy Awards. Unfortunately, the ensemble’s winning streak was broken earlier this month when its recording of Alexander Kastalsky’s Requiem, nominated for both classical producer of the year and best choral performance, failed to score Grammys.

“It is always such an incredible honor to be included in the nominations,” Bruffy said. “I’m just so happy that someone else got to feel how it feels to win.”

Bruffy has designed a special concert that will show off the chorale’s lush sound with a program to celebrate a springtime of hope and renewal. For example, “Danny Boy,” arranged by Irish composer Michael McGlynn. That song was featured on the chorale’s Grammy-winning album “Artifacts.” Another set will highlight Elizabethan poetry, which often celebrates that season “When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding.”

“‘An Elizabethan Spring’ is a trio of really charming songs,” Bruffy said. “It’s a fast/slow/fast arrangement, and the slow song is so beautiful. ‘There is a Garden in Her Face’: The music is by Canadian composer Stephen Chatman and the poems are by Thomas Nash, Thomas Campion and, our favorite, Anonymous.”

Also on the program is another work by Chatman called “Due North.”

“It’s a collection of northern images, mountains, trees, thrushes and mosquitoes,” Bruffy said. “The whole song is just a buzzing. It’s pretty fun.”

Rounding out the concert is the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts,” which was used so memorably in Copland’s “Appalachian Spring,” some spirituals and an arrangement of “Shenandoah.”

“It’s not our usual arrangement of ‘Shenandoah’” Bruffy said. We usually do the Conrad Susa version, but this time we’re doing the same one everybody else does. It’s a little more plush and just really cushioned.”

Before the pandemic, the Kansas City Chorale only performed in resonant indoor spaces. But Bruffy praises his sound engineers for bringing the chorale’s distinctive sound to the great outdoors through skillful amplification.

“Everything we do now is amplified, which is not our tradition,” Bruffy said. “But we will probably continue with our outside concerts. They’re kind of fun. It’s nice that people can come to the concerts and bring sandwiches or a bottle of wine or something to drink while they listen to the concert. And we’re outside! That’s a real plus.”

2 p.m. April 3. National WWI Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive. Free with RSVP at kcchorale.org.

Owen/Cox Dance

The Kansas City Chorale is also collaborating with the Owen/Cox Dance Group for an upcoming virtual program. “And the Darkness Has Not Overcome It,” which is being billed as a “spiritual project,” can be seen online at 5 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 4. For the work, Jennifer Owen has choreographed selections from the Kansas City Chorale’s Grammy-winning recording of Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil.

5 p.m. April 4. Free. owencoxdance.org.

Cynthia Siebert resigns

Cynthia Siebert is one of those special individuals who have left an enormous and indelible mark on Kansas City’s cultural life. Forty-five years ago she founded the Friends of Chamber Music as a series of concerts in various homes. With her careful stewardship, it has grown and blossomed into a nationally-acclaimed art series, noted for its exquisite taste and exacting standards.

Siebert has recently resigned as executive and artistic director of the series, and a search for her replacement has begun. Leia Barrett, the Friends of Chamber Music’s former marketing director, has been named acting executive director.

“The board and Cynthia have had discussions about succession for a couple of years, so we have had experts in the field give us guidance in how we can move forward and provide even better service,” Barrett said. “Whoever is in the position must have a passion for chamber music and an appreciation for the history and accomplishments of the Friends of Chamber Music. We want to remain a world-class organization.” She declined to elaborate on the resignation.

With in-person concerts on hold until the fall, the group can take its time choosing the right person, Barrett said. While the series intends to maintain the high standards established by Siebert (including its luxe annual program notes, which always features a gorgeous work of art on the cover), Barrett says she expects some changes to come down the line.

“We’ll be examining if there are ways to increase our diversity by showcasing people of color and featuring more women in our presentations,” Barrett said. “A lot of that will be dictated by whoever assumes the artistic role. All of these ideas of expanding our diversity have certainly been discussed.”

But the immediate concern is finding a replacement for Siebert. Barrett knows the organization has some extraordinary shoes to fill.

“From the time I moved to Kansas City, I greatly admired the Friends of Chamber Music and the impressive history of programming we’ve provided,” Barrett said. “Cynthia has left a really impressive legacy that we hope to continue.”

For more information, chambermusic.org.

You can reach Patrick Neas at patrickneas@kcartsbeat.com and follow his Facebook page, KC Arts Beat, at www.facebook.com/kcartsbeat.

This story was originally published March 26, 2021 at 5:00 AM.