University Communications posted the following article from the Spring 2012 Missouri State Alumni Magazine:
“Rock band Kansas will play with Missouri State’s orchestra — but only for a moment, (then) the moment’s gone
Nope, this is no charade: Could it be the event of the season?
The group Kansas will perform live with the Missouri State Symphony Orchestra on the evening of March 16 as part of the band’s Collegiate Symphony Tour.
The public is invited to the performance; tickets range from $37.75 to $47.75. A portion of proceeds will go to University music programs.
The band, which formed in the 1970s in Topeka, Kan., rose to national prominence thanks to progressive-rock hits such as “Dust in the Wind,” “Point of Know Return” and “Carry on my Wayward Son.” They have continued to produce music and tour in the decades since.
Kansas has been doing the collegiate tour since 2010 to raise money for, and awareness of, college music programs. The band has visited at least 15 schools so far. They rehearse and collaborate with orchestras before each performance, so MSU students will get a glimpse of the inside workings of a real rock band.
In a press release from the band, drummer Phil Ehart was excited about the response to the tour and looked forward to new dates.
“The only people having more fun than us were all the students playing on stage with us! And considering all the money that was raised to help the music departments, everyone considered it a real success! We know this year will be bigger and better!”
Tickets can be obtained by calling (417) 836-7678, accessing missouristatetix.com, or visiting any University box office location.
* UPDATE* The College of Arts and Letters is also offering 68 tickets in the pit section as a direct benefit to the Orchestra. Twenty-five of these tickets will be sold for $75.00 each and will include a reception with Kansas prior to the concert. The rest of the tickets are $50.00 each. One hundred percent of proceeds from these 68 tickets will benefit the Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra. Get your tickets by contacting Barbara Jones, director of special events, at (417) 836-6605 or via email at BarbaraJones@missouristate.edu.