The Kansas City Symphony (KCS) was founded by R. Crosby Kemper, Jr., in 1982, just months after the dissolution of the Kansas City Philharmonic. Today, the KCS is a major force in the cultural life of Kansas City and the region.
Now under the dynamic leadership of acclaimed music director Michael Stern, the Kansas City Symphony has experienced impressive artistic growth through its history and under the batons of Russell Patterson (1982-1986), William McGlaughlin (1986-1997), and Anne Manson (1998-2003). Damon Gupton, assistant conductor, conducts the Family Series and Symphony Pops.
The Kansas City Symphony serves a metropolitan population of 1.8 million people. The orchestra’s 80 fulltime musicians are area residents and vital contributors to the artistic life of Kansas City. During its forty-two week season, the Symphony performs a wide variety of subscription, educational, touring, and outreach concerts. In addition, the KCS performs for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and the Kansas City Ballet.
The Symphony’s education activities include specially programmed youth concerts – KinderKonzerts and Young People’s Concerts – performed in the Lyric Theatre, as well as workshops for high school students. Other regular activities include open rehearsals, instrument “petting zoos” at concerts and in schools, and a new program of partnerships with area schools where the KCS performs benefit concerts with all proceeds going to support music education programs at those schools. The Symphony’s various education programs reach an estimated 18,000 young people each year.