The University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) Community Accordion Orchestra under the direction of Joan C. Sommers presented a spectacular 48th Annual Spring Concert in Kansas City on May 31st.
Performing a variety of works, the concert program included: Tambourin from Fêtes d’Hébé by Rameau/Motti, Film Noir: City at Night by famed Los Angeles composer Leonard Stack, Serenade, (Andante Cantabile) Op. 39 by Alexander Comitas, Keniade (I. On the Safari with Herbert, II. Love Play of the Hippos, III. Jumping Gazelles and IV. Meeting of the Maassai Warriors) by Fritz Dobler, Gem of the Kaipara by Gary Daverne with Kevin Friedrich as Accordion Soloist, Suite from Video Games Live (featuring music from “Halo Suite”, Coronation & Baba Yetu from Civilization IV, Bounty Hunter Theme from Advent Rising Suite and Kingdom Hearts”, arranged by Joan C. Sommers, with the Video Presentation by UMKC Professor Caitlin Horsmon, Faust Walzer by Gounod and Brasilia Potpouri, both arranged by Willi Munch.
The 16 member group received a well deserved standing ovation for their concert from the large audience in attendance. The members of the UMKC Accordion Orchestra for this years concert were Betty Jo Simon, Ron Barrow, Joyce Davis, Kevin Friedrich, Don Lipovac, Christine Jarquio, Bob Eichkorn, Miceky Eichkorn, Karen Boocock, Samantha Jarquio, Amy Hatfield, Cathy Sue Weiss, Mary Ann Covone, Laura Lee Crandall, Nick Baker and Brian Steever.
The orchestra has performed in many countries throughout the world as well as across the United States. Now, even after director Professor Joan Sommers retired from her teaching position, the University still strongly supports the orchestra and continues to provide rehearsal and storage space as well as the use of it’s many concert facilities. The orchestra recently performed in Washington DC at the AAA/ATG sponsored CIACoupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships, where it performed at the festival as well as at the famed Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The UMKC Accordion Orchestra has released a series of six CD’s, and for more information about ordering these, or some history of the orchestra, please visit UMKC Accordion Orchestra website.
