The Village Arts Alliance exists to support and promote the performing arts in our community by providing support and performance and rehearsal space for three local not-for-profit musical ensembles.
Kansas City Wind Symphony
The Kansas City Wind Symphony is an auditioned 54-piece wind ensemble in residence at Village Church. Their mission is to present professional quality performances of the best in wind ensemble and band repertoire while providing a quality performance experience for adult instrumental musicians. Conducted by Dr. Langston Hemenway, the ensemble presents five public concerts annually at Village Church, performs throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area and occasionally travels to out of state venues for performances, including a 2009 appearance at Carnegie Hall.
In September of 2011, the Kansas City Wind Symphony was selected to perform at the Grand Opening of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City – the only area wind group to appear on the program. In 2013, the ensemble returned to Kauffman Center, presenting their 15th Anniversary Gala “Classical Meets Jazz” with Kansas City jazz great Bobby Watson.
The ensemble is open to any member of the community through competitive auditions. Audition information may be found on their website.
In September of 2011, the Kansas City Wind Symphony was selected to perform at the Grand Opening of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City – the only area wind group to appear on the program. In 2013, the ensemble returned to Kauffman Center, presenting their 15th Anniversary Gala “Classical Meets Jazz” with Kansas City jazz great Bobby Watson.
The ensemble is open to any member of the community through competitive auditions. Audition information may be found on their website.
Kansas City Baroque Consortium
Kansas City Baroque Consortium was formed in 2009. Its mission is to bring together local and regional professional musicians with a love and interest in exploring historically informed performances of Baroque and Early Music. Performing on period instruments and period reconstructed instruments, KCBC members are frequent collaborators with area choruses and vocal ensembles, including Village Chamber Choir.
Te Deum
Te Deum was founded by Matthew Christopher Shepard in 2008 to fulfill an expressed need by both singers and audiences in the Kansas City area to present sacred choral music concerts of the highest quality. The Te Deum Chamber Choir performed its first concert in spring 2009. Since then, the chamber choir has built an impressive and varied repertoire that spans centuries of time and wide ranges of composition style. In fall 2013, Te Deum began its Antiqua series, offering historically informed performances of repertoire from the 12th-17th centuries with a smaller roster.
In addition to creating compelling performances of early music, Te Deum has been a champion of modern music. Te Deum regularly commissions new compositions, offers world-premieres, and makes it a priority to give voice to music of the 21st century.
In addition to creating compelling performances of early music, Te Deum has been a champion of modern music. Te Deum regularly commissions new compositions, offers world-premieres, and makes it a priority to give voice to music of the 21st century.
Education & Outreach
The Village Arts Alliance seeks to support and promote performing arts education. If you would like to seek support offering something educational to the community, or if you would like to arrange to bring your students to our concerts, recitals, or events, we welcome the conversation. We may be able to give your group an especially enriching and insightful experience around a particular performance with a pre-concert or post-concert discussion with our music staff and performers. Please email Will Breytspraak, director of music ministry, or call at 913-671-2345.
