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R. Douglas Helvering

Classical and Vocal Contributor (Past writer)

Festival Singers, Baker to present Bach’s Mass in B Minor Part I

Mon, Mar 16, 2009

Festival Singers, Baker to present Bach’s Mass in B Minor Part I

Vocal Preview: Capping one of Kansas City’s busiest months of choral music performances in recent history, the William Baker Festival Singers, along with distinguished guest soloists and members of the Kansas City Symphony, will present one of the most respected and cherished choral works in western music history, the Mass in B Minor of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Vocal Column for March 16-29

Mon, Mar 16, 2009

La Traviata, Kansas City Chorale, Madama Butterfly, Heartland Men's Chorus and more!

Right at home in Kansas City: Part 1

Mon, Mar 02, 2009

Right at home in Kansas City: Part 1

Bruffy, Kansas City Chorale, Right at Home in Kansas City: Part 1 Interview: Later this month, the KC Chorale will present a concert of music for double chorus. Looking ahead to that concert, Artistic Director Charles Bruffy gave a rare interview to our choral/vocal writer R. Douglas Helvering.

UMKC/Village Church continues collaboration with excellence

Thu, Mar 05, 2009

UMKC/Village Church continues collaboration with excellence

UMKC/Village Church Continues Collaboration with Excellence

Vocal Column for December 15-28

Mon, Dec 15, 2008

Kansas City Chorale, St. Joseph Community Chorus and more!

Vocal Column for January 5 -18

Mon, Jan 05, 2009

Vocal Highlights of 2009

Forgotten Handel gem comes alive in Musica Sacra concert

Mon, Apr 27, 2009

Forgotten Handel gem comes alive in Musica Sacra concert

The main feature of the concert was a performance of Handel's "Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline." Among Handel's choral repertoire, it is largely overlooked. However, in the composer's own time the piece was highly regarded for its expression and harmonic interest.

Vocal Column for April 13 - 29

Mon, Apr 13, 2009

UMKC offerings, Pirates of Penzance, KU Opera

Lionheart warms large audience on a cold night

Mon, Dec 08, 2008

Lionheart warms large audience on a cold night

...the men of Lionheart represent not only the best of music-making, but also a microcosm of America – striking a delicate balance between cherished individuality and the responsibility to a shared ideal.

Full range of emotions explored at HMC’s holiday concert

Wed, Dec 10, 2008

Full range of emotions explored at HMC’s holiday concert

Regular attendees of Heartland Men’s Chorus concerts knew just what to expect at the group’s annual holiday concert this weekend…the unexpected.

Sandi Patty and KC Symphony bring a bit of broadway to Kansas City

Wed, Feb 04, 2009

Sandi Patty and KC Symphony bring a bit of broadway to Kansas City

Sandi and the Kansas City Symphony, led by Assistant Conductor Steven Jarvi, presented an eclectic evening of hits and classic songs from Broadway musicals.

Cockman, KC Wind Symphony rise to new heights

Tue, Feb 17, 2009

Cockman, KC Wind Symphony rise to new heights

The Kansas City Wind Symphony is one of several local concert wind ensembles, but in the past year they have cemented themselves as one of the city’s leaders in the genre.

Cupid’s arrow hits and misses at Fine Arts Chorale concert

Wed, Feb 18, 2009

Cupid’s arrow hits and misses at Fine Arts Chorale concert

The concert’s repertoire was a wonderful selection of songs that centered on the many aspects of love.

Dublin Philharmonic Concert: A mixed bag of music revelry

Wed, Mar 11, 2009

Dublin Philharmonic Concert: A mixed bag of music revelry

This orchestra was reconstituted from a fractured assortment of professional ensembles in Dublin in 1997. Their roots date all the way back to the mid 1800s, when Dublin was considered a close second to London as the most vibrant metropolis in the British Isles.

Bruffy, Kansas City Chorale, right at home in Kansas City Part 2

Mon, Mar 09, 2009

Bruffy, Kansas City Chorale, right at home in Kansas City Part 2

...continuation and culmination of an article published last week, presented in two installments. Later this month, the KC Chorale will present a concert of music for double chorus. Looking forward to that concert, Artistic Director Charles Bruffy gave a rare interview to our choral/vocal writer R. Douglas Helvering.

Festival Singers, Baker to present Bach’s Mass in B Minor Part II

Mon, Mar 23, 2009

...a continuation and culmination of an article published in last week’s edition. Capping one of Kansas City’s busiest months of choral music performances in recent history, the William Baker Festival Singers will present one of the most respected and cherished choral works in western music history, the Mass in B Minor of Johann Sebastian Bach

Vocal Column for March 30 - April 12

Mon, Mar 30, 2009

After a frantic March for choral music in our area, we end the month with one of the great masterworks in the genre. Then we cool off as area ensembles begin preparing for end-of-the-season events. The offerings here are relatively few, but highly interesting and exciting.

Vocal Column for April 29 - May 13

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

Many exciting end-of-the-season concert offerings from a wide variety of local ensembles and vocalists.

Busy Kansas City Chorale inconsistent in weekend concert

Wed, Apr 01, 2009

Busy Kansas City Chorale inconsistent in weekend concert

Music From The New York Tour, performed by the Kansas City Chorale.

Vocal Column for January 19 - February 1

Mon, Jan 19, 2009

Joyce Didonato, Civic Opera of Kansas City, Orfeo ed Euridice.

Vocal Column February 2 - 15

Mon, Feb 02, 2009

KC Symphony Valentine's concert, The Met Live in HD, Fine Arts Chorale, William Baker Singers, Danielle de Niese and more!

Vocal Column for February 16 - March 1

Mon, Feb 16, 2009

Lucia di Lammermoor, Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, Musica Sacra, Musica Vocale Chamber Ensemble, St. Paul (Paulus)

Vocal Column for March 2 - 15

Mon, Mar 02, 2009

Nordic Choir, Topeka Festival Singers, Madama Butterfly, La Traviata.

Fine Arts Chorale goes green

Sat, Apr 25, 2009

Fine Arts Chorale goes green

Longtime music director Dr. Terri Teal has actively sought over the past few seasons to carve a niche for the Fine Arts Chorale amid the exciting choral renaissance taking place in the Kansas City area.

Epley's Musica Vocale to present Mendelssohn masterpiece

Mon, May 04, 2009

Epley's Musica Vocale to present Mendelssohn masterpiece

Musica Vocale is one of a handful of new choral ensembles to join the ranks of an already impressive stable of choruses in the Kansas City area within the last few years. This coming weekend, Arnold Epley's ensemble will present the exquisite oratorio "Elijah" by Felix Mendelssohn.

Vocal Column for May 13 - 27

Thu, May 07, 2009

Concerts by Octarium, Village Church and Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral, William Jewell Music Department and Kansas City Kansas Community College Music Department

Octarium challenges conventional choral wisdom

Mon, May 11, 2009

Octarium challenges conventional choral wisdom

"Should Have Been Choral" is a collection of a cappella arrangements of secular songs originally composed as orchestral symphonies, operatic overtures, music from Broadway shows and popular songs.

Piccolo Spoleto-bound Collegium Vocale gives KC a bon voyage concert to remember

Tue, May 19, 2009

Piccolo Spoleto-bound Collegium Vocale gives KC a bon voyage concert to remember

Last night, the 16-voice Collegium Vocale presented their Piccolo Spoleto program for a Kansas City audience. They were in top form in a program that was very carefully crafted, using texts that sought to uplift the human experience.

Vocal Column for May 27 - June 10

Tue, May 26, 2009

As we move into the summer, moving past Memorial Day, many of our favorite performers are beginning to take a well-deserved hiatus from this past wonderful season.

PREVIEW: Simon Carrington's choral homecoming

Tue, May 26, 2009

 PREVIEW: Simon Carrington's choral homecoming

All of us have at some point in our lives come across a person who has made an everlasting impact on us. The name we typically give to such a person is a mentor. Webster defines a mentor as a 'wise and trusted counselor or teacher' or as an 'influential senior sponsor or supporter.' This weekend in Kansas City and Lawrence, a group of musicians will join together to celebrate not only their art but their mentor, Simon Carrington.

Vocal Column for June

Sat, Jun 06, 2009

Surprise! Opera Diva Teresa Berganza is making an under-the-radar stop in Lawrence, Kansas Thursday night for the inaugural Festival Internacional de Musica Espanola y Latinoamericana. (pssst. and it's free)

Vocal Column for July

Mon, Jun 22, 2009

July is a perfect time to relax into the lush sounds of Summerfest.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir remains a model of choral excellence

Tue, Jun 30, 2009

Mormon Tabernacle Choir remains a model of choral excellence

The Choir sang traditional hymns, choral masterpieces, and folk music from America and around the world. They even included popular songs from musical theater.

1st annual JEMS Fest an artistic success

Mon, Aug 17, 2009

1st annual JEMS Fest an artistic success

On the weekend of August 7-9, William Jewell College hosted the first annual JEMS (Jewell Early Music Summer) Festival. A Festival like JEMS is difficult to pull off in any year. In this, their first attempt, the organizers were able to overcome a difficult economy and a very hot weekend to put on a highly respectable and artistically satisfying festival of early music.