KANSAS 2010 Collegiate Symphony Tour Is Coming To Hartman Arena Sept. 18 - Featuring The Wichita State Symphony! -On Sale This Saturday-

Posted on August 4, 2010
KANSAS and the Wichita State University Symphony are teaming up for one evening of unforgettable rock music atKANSAS & Wichita State Team Up Saturday, September 18! Hartman Arena on Saturday, September 18!

 

Inspired by the success of their 2009 StarCity Recording DVD/CD release 'There's Know Place Like Home' - which saw the veteran classic rock band team up for a special night with the Washburn University Orchestra - the group decided to take this idea on the road. The feedback that KANSAS drummer Phil Ehart received from prospective universities has been overwhelmingly supportive in their desire to bring the concept to their campuses.

 

"We started by cold-calling schools all over the country to find out if there was interest in  us coming to play with their orchestras. We immediately discovered that most schools have no money for their music programs. We then thought of performing the shows as fundraisers, helping to raise funding for the school's music programs. As we started talking to the schools, we found out that many of them don't even have a place on campus for a school symphony concert...but they do have an 80,000 seat football stadium! I had one school music director actually break down emotionally on the phone with me - he was very distraught that this might be his school's last year with a music program. He thought this concert might actually save the music program for another year!

 

The result is the 'KANSAS Collegiate Symphony Tour.' With performances booked throughout September and October, the group will be joined by each respective college's symphony, conducted by Larry Baird, for what promises to be a truly unforgettable evening of powerful rock music. "These will be full-blown concerts with pro lights and sound," adds Ehart. "KANSAS prides itself in performing first class shows no matter what the venue. Our college tour will showcase KANSAS and each school's orchestra in the best possible manner."

 

Formed in 1970, KANSAS went on to become one of the decade's most popular rock acts - issuing classic rock albums such as 1976's 'Leftoverture' and 1977's 'Point of Know Return,' along with the hit singles "Carry on Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind", and “Point of Know Return.” The band - which in addition to Ehart, is comprised of singer/keyboardist Steve Walsh, guitarist Rich Williams, bassist Billy Greer, and violinist David Ragsdale - continue to tour in front of large and enthusiastic audiences and  to this day remain a fixture on classic rock radio.  Additionally, they have reached an entirely new audience through their unmistakable presence on the popular video games Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

 

In closing, Ehart hints that the 'Kansas Collegiate Symphony Tour' may point to the band's future. “This is going so well that other schools are contacting us for 2011 and 2012. City orchestras are even calling us about doing the same for them. Kansas has always been a symphonic rock band; we may have found our niche!"

 

Tickets go on sale this Saturday, August 7 at 10 a.m. and start at $29 or $20 for students. Tickets are available at stage1tickets.com, all Stage1 Ticket Outlets (Sports Time Fan Shops, Checkers, and select CD Tradepost locations including in Hutchinson), the Hartman Arena Box Office or by calling 316-927-3999!

HARTMAN ARENA CONCERT RUNDOWN
“A Symphonic Evening With Kansas” Featuring the Wichita State University Symphony
Saturday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m. - Tickets on sale Saturday, August 7 at 10 a.m.

Ticket Prices - $20 (student), $29, and $40 (service fees may apply)

 
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