Church’s Duke Ellington extravaganza combines German big band, Kansas City tap dancing
No matter how stormy the weather, the music department of Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village is a constant source of comfort and joy. Those dedicated musicians offer the community a chance to hear some incredibly fine players at the lowest possible price. Most of the concerts are free.
As we emerge out of the pandemic, Village Church seems to be expanding its offerings. At the very least, the place is giving off vibrant and enthusiastic vibes. The music department has just announced its 2022-2023 season, and it reflects Village’s longtime commitment to the finest in sacred music and other music, as well.
Things start with an exuberant “amen” on Oct. 22 and 23. Sacred Service, a choral and jazz work by Duke Ellington, will be performed by the Village Choir, the Kansas City, Kansas Community College Choir and the Hannover Big Band.
Will Breytspraak, the church’s director of music, says the idea for the collaboration came from a German woman named Traute Kohler. She’s the chair of the Hannover Committee of the Sister City Association of Kansas City. Hannover is one of Kansas City’s sister cities.
“Traute really thought this thing up,” Breytspraak said. “She told me, ‘Oh, you just have to listen to the Hannover Big Band. They’re incredible.’ I did listen and they are incredible.“
Kohler asked the church to help arrange a residency for the band in Kansas City. Breystspraak committed the church to making it happen.
“So the Hannover Big Band and its director, Lothar Krist, are coming here,” Breytspraak said. They’re doing a lot of things around town.”
This is a rare ticketed event for Village Presbyterian, with a $25 admission. Breytspraak says all of the money goes to the big band’s travel costs.
From all descriptions, Sacred Service sounds like a blast. The combined sonics of the Hannover Big Band, the Village Choir and the Kansas City, Kansas Community College Choir should blow the roof off the house.
Breytspraak says the work opens with the choir singing “In the beginning,” reminiscent of Haydn’s “Creation.” One of the movements is titled “David Danced,” which indicates a tap dancer should dance. Breytspraak lined up Kansas City tap dance legend Ronald McFadden to do the honors.
“Right smack in the middle of the Sacred Service he’s going to go freestyle,” Breytspraak said. “It’s not what you normally see in our sanctuary.”
Ellington wrote that his sacred music “is the most important thing I’ve ever done or am ever likely to do.”
“This is personal, not career,” he wrote. “Now I can say out loud to all the world what I’ve been saying to myself for years on my knees.”
Next comes violinist Destiny Ann Mermagen. When she rode into town a few years ago, she made fast friends with Breytspraak, and they conceived plans on how to make some of her musical programs a reality.
Mermagen has gained quite a following the past two years, with her welcoming and friendly demeanor and out of this world playing. Another endearing thing about Mermagen is her commitment to involving young people in what she calls her “side-by-side” concerts.
“This stuff with the kids is not token,” Breytspraak said. “She coaches them. On April 15, we’re presenting Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires” in a side-by-side concert. She’s talking about doubling the size of the youth orchestra this year to give more kids opportunities.”
In addition, Mermagen and her retinue of musicians, which usually include her husband, cellist and music professor Michael Mermagen, and pianist Tatiana Tessman, will give performances in November, December and February. They will all be side-by-side concerts with some of the area’s gifted musicians taking part. What a great way to give these hard-working young people a well-deserved boost.
Village Church is a longtime sponsor of the Kansas City Wind Symphony. Founded in 1998, the orchestra, under its current music director, Langston Hemenway, is going strong and is still calling Village Church home.
This year, the Kansas City Wind Symphony will perform with the whole Village Church music program in its annual Christmas concert, “Tidings of Joy,” with two performances Dec. 18.
“We have three choirs this year, the Kansas City Wind Symphony and some breakout players,” Breytspraak said. “We’re definitely drawing for music from around the world and, of course, there will a a lot of favorites.”
Tenor and Emory music professor Jonathan Pilkington will give a recital on Feb. 10.
“Jonathan is from Atlanta and is a delightful tenor,” Breytspraak said. “He’s actually going to be doing a residency here for just a few days, and it’s going to include his recital and he’s also going to sing in our church Sunday morning.”
Village Church, like everyone else, has been through a real slog the past few years. But the church’s vibrant music program is coming back to life, and it’s inspiring to see.
“I think people have been in hibernation,” Breytspraak said. “We’ve all been so solitary, and maybe we’ve grown in that way and have new depths from what the world has been through, but so much was taken away. It became like a desert, and now these beautiful little buds are appearing. I think we’re finding joy again at Village Church.”
Concerts are at Village Presybterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village. Admission is free unless otherwise noted. See villagepres.org/music.
▪ Duke Ellington — Sacred Service: Lothar Krist’s Hannover Big Band, Village Church and Kansas City, Kansas Community College Choirs and Soloists. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 and 23. $25.
▪ Village Players Side by Side Concert: Destiny Ann Mermagen, violin, Michael Mermagen, cello, with an orchestra of professionals and Village Players youth musicians. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12.
▪ Christmas Favorites Duo Recital: Destiny Ann Mermagen, violin, and Tatiana Tessman, piano, with Village Players youth musicians. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2.
▪ Tidings of Joy: Village Choirs and the Kansas City Wind Symphony. Freewill offering to benefit Signature Mission: Reconciliation Services Therapy and Case Management Expansion. 3 and 6 p.m. Dec. 18.
▪ Trio Barn Burners: Destiny Ann Mermagen, violin, Michael Mermagen, cello, and Tatiana Tessman, piano, in a concert featuring Paul Schoenfield’s Café Music. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10.
▪ Jonathan Pilkington, tenor: Vocal recital: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17.
▪ Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires: Destiny Ann Mermagen, violin, and Michael Mermagen, cello, with side-by-side orchestra of professionals and Village Players youth musicians. 7:30 p.m. April 15.
▪ Classic Jazz in Four Hands: Village Presbyterian in collaboration with the Westport Historical Society presents Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi, piano. 3 p.m. April 23.
Harriman-Jewell Series — Nicola Benedetti
It’ll be a Hebridean holiday when the Harriman-Jewell Series presents violinist Nicola Benedetti leading the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Oct. 22 at Helzberg Hall. Benedetti will perform Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 and lead the orchestra in Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony.
7 p.m. Oct. 22. Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. $12.50-$75. 816-415-5025 or hjseries.org.
Kansas City Symphony — Symphonie Fantastique
There’s probably no symphony in the repertoire more appropriate for Halloween than Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. A musical depiction of an opium overdose, the final two movements of the work are a March to the Scaffold and Dream of a Witches’ Sabbath.
The Kansas City Symphony led by guest conductor Domingo Hindoyan will perform the spine-chilling work Oct. 28 to 30 at Helzberg Hall. The program will also include works by Mendelssohn and Brahms.
8 p.m. Oct. 28 and 29 and 2 p.m. Oct. 30. Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. $25-$95. 816-471-0400 or kcsymphony.org.
Cardinalis
Cardinalis is a professional choral ensemble founded by William Jewell College professor Anthony Maglione, so you know they’ve got to be good. Maglione is one of the most respected choral conductors in the city. On Oct. 23, they’re presenting two performances of “Our True Colors,” a fascinating multimedia performance.
Maglione’s superb young singers will perform folk songs, pop songs and original choral music. The singing will be accompanied by the Kansas City Aerial Arts, a local group of trapeze artists, who will fly through the air with the greatest of ease.
4 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23. City Stage Theatre, Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road. $25. ourtruecolors.eventbrite.com
KC VITAS — Octetoberfest 2022
KC VITAS led by Jackson Thomas will present Octetoberfest 2022 on Oct. 28 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. The church has a strong Gothic vibe (which is why I love it), and is the perfect setting for KC VITAS’ annual spook-fest.
In addition to the music, St. Mary’s clergy will share ghost stories. Stop by for the post-concert reception to enjoy Bavarian pretzels and what they call “specially curated libations.” This is an Episcopal church, so I think that means booze.
7 p.m. Oct. 28. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1307 Holmes St. $20-$25. kcvitas.org.
Spire Chamber
The past few years have not been happy times for many people. On Oct. 29 and 30, the Spire Chamber Ensemble led by Ben Spalding will confront the anger and sadness from which so many are suffering, while also offering hope. The choral and instrumental ensemble will perform “To the Hands” by Caroline Shaw and “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed” by Joel Thompson.
7:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 S.W. Eighth Ave., Topeka; $5 to $20. Also: 3 p.m. Oct. 30, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1307 Holmes St.; $10-$25. spirechamberensemble.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 October 14, 2022 at 8:00 AM.