From orchestral to chamber music - or even Latin chants - Kansas City has musical performances for everyone this month, no matter your taste. And, many of these performances are at a hard-to-beat price point: free.
From the outside, classical music is often viewed as being the exclusive realm of evening dress and strands of pearls, reserved for the elite with pricey tickets and strict rules of conduct.
But many organizations create come-as-you-are opportunities to invite people to enjoy their music and community, and work diligently to remove these perceived barriers, particularly cost.
Here's our list of some free concerts to fill your March with performances, lunchtime concerts and weekend shows.
Sinfonia Romantika
- When: Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66212
- Tickets: Free, no reservation required
The Kansas City Civic Orchestra has performed for over 50 years, inviting both amateurs and professionals to play in a community orchestra. The Kansas City Civic Orchestra offers musicians of all ability levels an opportunity to perform and showcase their talents.
Guest conductor Matthew Pavon will lead the Symphony Orchestra in Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8, Saint-Saëns’s Danse Bacchanale, and others. Who knows, after attending you might even be inspired to audition yourself.
Te Deum - Chanted Vespers for Lent
- When: Sunday, March 10 at 7 p.m.
- Where: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 416 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64105
- Tickets: Free, no reservation required
Gregorian chants are one of the earliest forms of classical music, beginning in the ninth century. If you’ve never heard a live performance, the Chanted Vespers for Lent might be for you. The vocal resonance of the choir is sure to bring a newfound serenity to your life.
Tenors and basses from Te Deum will perform this 40 minute Latin prayer service, and the performance is open to people of all religions.
Ruel Joyce Series at Midwest Trust Center
- When: Mondays at noon in March
- Where: Polsky Theatre at Midwest Trust Center
- Tickets: Free, no reservation required
The long-running Ruel Joyce and Jaz Series at Johnson County Community College have presented some of Kansas City’s finest musicians for a noon concert most Mondays at noon (classical chamber music) and Tuesdays at noon (jazz) for 35 years, during the academic year (September to May).
Upcoming performances include Kansas City Symphony principal cellist Mark Gibbs and pianist Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich (March 11), Andrew Ouloette Trio (March 12), and vocalist Stella Markou and pianist Ellen Sommer (March 18).
Park University International Center for Music Orchestra with Guest Conductor Laura Jackson
- When: Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel, 8701 NW River Park Dr, Parkville, MO 64152
- Tickets: Free with reservation
Music Director and Conductor for the Reno Philharmonic Association, Laura Jackson, will return to the Midwest to conduct the Park University annual spring concert. The ICM String Quartet will be featured during the program in their first performance with the orchestra. The orchestra will perform works by Franz Schubert, Edward Elgar and Patrick Harlin.
This concert is another chance to support younger musicians who may someday become a household name.
Kansas City Wind Symphony
When: Sunday, March 24 at 3 p.m.
Where: Village Presbyterian Church
Tickets: Free, no reservation required
The Kansas City Wind Symphony has a program to take you around the world. Their upcoming concert,
“Audissey - A Musical Journey," features music by legendary wind composers Frank Ticheli and Percy Grainger.
Kansas City Chorale: Spring Song
- When: Saturday, March 30 at 6 p.m.
- Where: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111
- Tickets: Free with reservation
Nothing is more tempting than a concert at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art at the beginning of spring. The Grammy Award-winning Kansas City Chorale’s Spring Concert is the perfect way to kick off the new season. This celebration of spring and Easter will be held in Kirkwood Hall.
If the weather’s nice, you could even have a picnic on the Nelson-Atkins lawn before the show to really get into the spring spirit.
If you’re looking for more concerts to attend in the area, be sure to check out Classical KC’s community events calendar.
This story was first published in Classical KC's "Take Note" newsletter. You can sign up to receive stories like this in your inbox the first Wednesday of every month.
