Heartland Men's Chorus Hosts Event at Acoustical Model

Date: April 23, 2008

Author: Kauffman Center

Each year the Heartland Men’s Chorus holds a lovely event to encourage friends to become members of the Heartland Soul Society.  “While holding this event at a construction warehouse wasn’t even on our radar before, the Kauffman Center acoustical model turned out to be a special draw for this year’s gathering,” said Chris Abele, chairman of the chorus board of directors.

The Heartland Men’s Chorus, 130 members strong this year, has been singing up a storm since the 1980’s. ‘We are the largest community chorus and the oldest, best-established gay men’s chorus in our region,” says Rick Fisher, executive director since 1997.  A season subscription purchases entry to near-sellout programs at the Folly Theater three times a year.  The Heartland Soul Society, made up of annual donors, provides critical underwriting for fall, holiday and spring concerts.

The organization built this year’s Heartland Soul Society reception around the Kauffman Center’s acoustical model which is housed at the JE Dunn Construction office in the Crossroads Arts District.  Kauffman Center staff whipped the warehouse into party shape and the HMC team worked their magic with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the February 28th event.

The party attracted 60 participants to hear Jane Chu, president and CEO of the Kauffman Center make a brief presentation about the center and describe the model’s role in perfecting acoustics for the concert hall. 

Artistic Director Joe Nadeau shared his excitement about the chorus and the Kauffman Center.  “It’s exciting to have this explosion of venues in Kansas City, from the Sprint Center, Power and Light District to the performing arts center, which is going to be astounding. Those of us who are regular performers think it will attract people to Kansas City and also make our voices shine. We are hope to hold our 25th anniversary concert there in 2011.  It’s an exciting goal for our growing chorus.”  

Cliff Schiappa, chair of the Chorus’ Development Committee, shared his views about HMC’s history and his dreams for the future—including watching the chorus perform in the Kauffman Center concert hall.

The evening was capped by—what else?—music.  The HeartAches, an ensemble known for its blend of comedic material and close-harmony jazz performed several numbers. They brought down the house with a lively rendition of the “Caffeine Overload Polka” and the stirring anthem “What Matters,” written in memory of Matthew Shepard.