By Mike Greife,
March 14, 2016
WARRENSBURG, MO – Students in the University of Central Missouri’s music programs
will experience the thrill of performing in the one of the greatest music venues in
the world as they and several of the music faculty present the annual President’s
Gala at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City at 7 p.m. Tuesday,
March 29.
Warrensburg native and UCM alumna Meryl Lin McKean, health reporter for WDAF FOX4
in Kansas City, will serve as mistress of ceremonies for the event.
The event also will kick off the Day of Giving for the Arts, an opportunity for UCM
alumni and patrons of the arts at UCM and in the surrounding community to provide
financial support for the ongoing renovation of Hendricks Hall, the university’s historic
performance venue.
For more details on the variety of ways to offer financial support for the Day of
Giving for the Arts, visit ucm-foundation.everydayhero.do.
Groups scheduled to perform include the Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of David
Aaberg; New Technologies Ensemble, under the direction of Eric Honour; Concert Choir,
under the direction of Alan Zabriskie; Orchestra, under the direction of John Rutland;
and Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Scott Lubaroff. Music faculty members performing
will be Mia Hynes and John Hynes on piano and a faculty quartet performance by Kristee
Haney, Stella Roden, Jacob Sentgeorge and Ray Feener, accompanied by Mia Hynes.
This is the second time the President’s Gala has been hosted at the Kauffman Center,
the first being in 2013. The President’s Gala concert traditionally is a high point
in the academic year for the UCM music students and faculty.
The March 29 performance is free, but tickets are required to assure seating. Tickets
must be reserved by March 18. Those who have reserved tickets may pick them up at
the Performing Arts Series box office in Administration 100 on the UCM campus through
March 18, or at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts box office on the evening
of the event. For information on tickets, contact the box office at 660-543-8888.
Transportation for students from Warrensburg to the Kauffman Center will be provided
by the university on a first come, first served basis by the university. Seating on
the buses is limited and may be reserved at the time tickets are picked up.
"We are delighted to showcase the talents of our students and faculty for alumni
and friends in the Greater Kansas city area to experience and appreciate,” said Gersham
Nelson, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. “As we launch
this Day of Giving for the Arts initiative to improve and preserve historic Hendricks
Hall, the timing could not be better for the public to experience the thrill, excitement
and sheer magic to be generated by our student and faculty musicians. All of our alumni
and friends will want to be a part of the March 29 President’s Gala, as well offer
support for the advancement of the arts on campus.”
For more information about the President’s Gala or the UCM Department of Music and
its programs and events, visit ucmo.edu/music or call 660-543-4530.
