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Experience the Joy of Christmas with the Stan Kenton Brass at West Heights United Methodist Church on Sunday, December 15 at 10:30am!Come celebrate the joy of Christmas with the exhilarating music of Stan Kenton Christmas Brass. On Sunday, December 15 at 10:30am, West Heights UMC presents its 49th annual Christmas concert featuring soaring trumpets and roaring brass, sounding out traditional carols that bring forth the spirit of the season.
Stan Kenton was born in the Delano area of Wichita in 1911 and became a pianist, composer, arranger, band leader and jazz educator. We are delighted to be able to share the Stan Kenton Christmas brass again this year!
This began at West Heights when Newt Graber, pianist, band leader and "gig king of Wichita" got a group of about 22 jazz musicians together to perform at the church. It has been a tradition ever since. After Newt's death in 1995, Henry "Hank" Elder directed the group. "Hank" was director until his death in late 2006 when Lisa Hittle, the director of the jazz program at Friends University for 30 years took over the tradition. Lisa passed the baton to Anthony Panek who will be directing for the fourth year.
For more than four decades, West Heights has offered a unique Christmas musical experience. The ensemble's lively performance creates an ocean of sound proclaiming Christmas joy. In 1961 Stan Kenton recorded an album that brought to the carols a freshness that had not been heard before. It would take years before A Merry Christmas! would be universally accepted as a wondrous work to be savored and enjoyed by everyone of all ages. As audiences would discover, the music soars and sometimes moves along at different tempos while it did not alter the character of the carols, nor intrude upon their sacredness. A freewill offering will be received to help support the musicians.
The morning's celebration will start off at 9:00am with a delicious Pancake Breakfast in the Family Life Center. The breakfast will feature pancakes, sausage, eggs and juices. Additionally, West Heights hosts a mini craft and bake sale outside of the sanctuary. Come early for an uplifting morning. All proceeds will help underwrite the Kenton Brass Concert. Please enter through the "A" doors to enjoy this special Christmas music and joy.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
745 N Westlink Ave, Wichita, KS, United States, Kansas 67212
