June 5, 2021

The Summer Singers of Lee’s Summit is welcoming new members for its 2021 summer of music making. The community chorus is active from June-August with weekly rehearsals on Thursday evenings at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 416 SE Grand Avenue. No audition is required for participation. All adults and mature youth are invited to participate. Music reading ability is strongly encouraged.

Dr. William Baker

The chorus is led by Music Director William Baker, who is also Music Director for the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and associate director Jennifer Lahasky.

The Summer Singers of Lee’s Summit was begun in 2014 and has involved hundreds of area residents in the joy of immortal classical music. Following 8-10 weekly rehearsals the chorus of some 75-90 voices joins with professional soloists and members of the Kansas City Symphony to perform a well-loved classical masterwork, along with a variety of short-form musical treasures. Past performances have included Mozart’s Requiem, Haydn’s The Creation and selections from Handel’s Messiah.

Jennifer Lahasky

For 2021, The Summer Singers of Lee’s Summit will be preparing and performing the Mass in G of Franz Schubert, along with a collection of 10 widely varied short works that will include love songs, settings of poems by William Shakespeare, music from the Jewish tradition, and spirituals. Founder William Baker says, “I don’t think our Summer Singers in Lee’s Summit has ever presented as varied a program as this.”

Rehearsals will begin Thursday, June 10 for the concert to be held on Sunday, August 1. Interested singers may pre-register at http://www.FestivalSingers.org/registernow. A modest tuition is requested, but no one is denied participation based on ability to pay.

With COVID regulations easing nationwide, the Summer Singers has no restrictions for occupancy or distancing. Face masks will not be required, but any participants who wishes to wear a face mask may do so. Vaccination is encouraged for all participants, but the Summer Singers will not ask any participant about health or vaccination status.

In the six seasons of the Summer Singers of Lee’s Summit hundreds of participants and thousands of audience members have enjoyed a high-level experience with music of timeless beauty and worth in our own community. With the world coming back following a global pandemic, a celebration of great music will be more joyful than ever.

For additional information, email Mail@FestivalSingers.org or call 913-488-7524.

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