Sure, summer is great for swimming, playing pickleball, and eating ice cream, but it's also a perfect time to stay cool inside. If a big getaway's not happening this year, no sweat—you can still enjoy air-conditioned musical escapes right here in Kansas City.
Take the time to explore the music scene in Kansas City this summer and let the harmonies transport you to a place of wonder and joy. These classical events may offer escapes from the heat – but don’t forget to still wear your sunscreen!
Summerfest
Travel through time with this year’s Summerfest as they perform a variety of music and take a moment to celebrate connection. Each week promises a different musical experience, with pieces from Mozart, Dvořák, Beethoven, and other influential artists.
Summerfest is an annual professional chamber music ensemble highlighting Kansas City culture. For their 2024 season, Summerfest will perform familiar and unfamiliar works from classical composers throughout history. Learn more about this season from Jane Carl and Evan Halloin on the Local Feature and revisit last year’s performances on the Classical KC Concert Hall.
When: Saturday, July 6 - Sunday, July 28
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Adults: $28; Students (18+ with valid student ID): $10; Youth (17 and under): Free; Flex Tickets: $92. Includes 4 tickets and 2 complimentary tickets to share with friends or family.
Kansas City Baroque Consortium
Celebrating KCBC’s 15th Anniversary, this July’s event features lyric soprano Hannah De Priest. A William Jewell College graduate, De Priest returns to her hometown to perform a range of repertoire from Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel, J.S. Bach, and more.
Through her vocal prowess, De Priest will dedicate this performance to the public appreciation of music from the Baroque era and other distinct historical periods.
When: Friday, July 19 | 7:30 p.m.
Where: Country Club United Methodist Church, 400 W. 57th Kansas City, Missouri 64113
Tickets: Reserved Seating: $45; General Admission: $33; Senior Discount: $28
ATG Festival Accordion Orchestra
The Accordionists & Teachers Guild (ATG) will feature several esteemed accordionists in their 4-day concert at the University of Missouri Kansas-City (UMKC). This year the members will be celebrating the 90th birthday of Joan C. Sommers, a renowned accordion conductor and resident of Kansas City. She established the accordion degree program at UMKC’s Conservatory of Music and taught there for 40 years.
Each day of the event will spotlight accordion players from around the world with different musical genres and specialties. Sommers will conduct the Community Accordion Ensemble on Thursday and the 90-member ATG Festival Accordion Orchestra on Saturday, July 27. You won’t want to miss out on this worldwide fusion of accordion masters!
When: Wednesday, July 24 - Saturday, July 27
Where: UMKC White Recital Hall,4949 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64110
Tickets: Adult: $35; Senior (Age 65+): $25; Student (College or high school): $15; Ages 12 and under: Free
Miami String Quartet
The award-winning Miami String Quartet will be performing in Kansas City as a part of the Heartland Chamber Music Festival. Composed of violinist Benny Kim, violinist Cathy Meng Robinson, violist Scott Lee, and cellist Keith Robinson, the quartet provides a bright unity to the world of classical music.
From July 26 to Aug. 3, the festival will serve as a haven for students in the Kansas City metro to appreciate chamber music through professional workshops and performances. At the end of the festival, the students and faculty mentors will perform together. It's a musical summer vacation—only way cooler and with more strings attached.
When: Wednesday, July 31 | 7 p.m.
Where: Yardley Hall at the Midwest Trust Center, 12345 College Blvd. Overland Park, KS 66210
Tickets: General Admission: $10
Moving Arts
During the summer months, The Moving Arts company annually displays exquisite dance performances built by innovative choreographers and dancers. Each of the program’s three choreographers will showcase their creations this July, including a piece on the impacts of climate change, a 22-minute contemporary dance to the music of Bach, and the unveiling of a world premiere.
The company consists entirely of dancers and choreographers who are or have been associated with the Kansas City Ballet. They are dedicated to sharing the arts with the local community during the summertime. If you are searching for a night of unbridled creativity and passion, the Moving Arts will deliver all that and more.
When: Friday & Saturday, July 26-27 | 7:30 p.m.
Where: Folly Theater, 300 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64105
Tickets: General Admission: $30; VIP: $100
Curious for more? Be sure to check out Classical KC’s community events calendar for more information about concerts in your area.
