(Wichita, KS)  The Wichita Symphony will present a trio of free outdoor concerts during the month of June. These family-friendly events offer a chance to see and hear players from the WSO at no cost, provide an opportunity to enjoy outdoor venues throughout the city, and allow attendees to experience an extremely low-risk concert setting as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic begin to diminish.
“As we begin to emerge from the crisis of last year,” says WSO CEO Don Reinhold, “we are happy to be back out in the community. Our audiences are eager to come together once again, and we believe these free outdoor events are the perfect opportunity to welcome new friends and long-time patrons alike.”

Playing Across the Parks | June 5, 2021  

The first concert, Playing Across the Parks, is a joint venture with Wichita Park & Recreation. On Saturday, June 5th, Wichita Symphony musicians will be playing at six different parks throughout the city. Performance times and locations will include:

WSO String Trio
1:00pm – Pawnee Prairie Park
2:00pm – West Douglas Park
3:00pm – OJ Watson Park
Musicians: Linette Gordon, Violin; Elizabeth Wallace, Viola; Quinn Lake, Cello
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WSO Brass Quintet
1:30pm – Central Riverside Park Gazebo
2:30pm – Murdock Park
3:30pm – Chisholm Creek Park
Musicians: David Hunsicker, Trumpet; Henry Zimmermann, Trumpet; Jeb Wallace, French Horn; Matt Blauer, Trombone; Phil Black, Tuba 
 
Attendees are encouraged to venture to the park closest to them to enjoy one of these short, family-friendly concerts. Audience members are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the music in comfort. Playing Across the Parks is sponsored by the Koch Family Foundation.

Musicians of the WSO at Bradly Fair Plaza | June 10, 2021

On June 10th, at 7:30 P.M., musicians of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra will perform at Bradley Fair Plaza as part of the Thursday Night Summer Concert Series at Bradley Fair. On the first half of the program, WSO Music Director Daniel Hege conducts the WSO Woodwinds. After a brief intermission, the WSO Brass Quintet takes the stage. Lakeside picnic-style seating on the area surrounding Bradley Fair Lake is available with no prior registration. Plaza seating is available for attendees who pre-register via the Bradley Fair website. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. the day of the event, and Plaza registrants may place chairs on the Plaza after 5:00 P.M. Restaurant specials and to-go bites will be available for purchase.

Playing in the Park | June 12, 2021

Once again in partnership with Wichita Park & Recreation, WSO musicians will present a free outdoor concert at the Evergy Pavilion in Naftzger Park on Saturday, June 12^th, at 7:00 P.M. Daniel Hege conducts members the WSO Woodwinds for this family-friendly event. Audience members are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket for picnic-style seating on the lawn. The Koch Family Foundation and the Naftzger Fund for Fine Arts are presenting sponsors for this event.

New Technology

For the events at Bradley Fair on June 10^th Naftzger Park on June 12^th, concert-goers will be able to access a virtual concert program on their smartphones; audience members can text the word "Program" to 316-348-8585 and follow the prompts to access the program. With both safety and environmental concerns in mind, the WSO is excited to explore new ways to connect with their audiences. 

“It’s very exciting new technology,” says Reinhold. “This is the perfect time for us to go green and create dynamic new content to help audience members engage with the Symphony. It also opens up a world of  possibilities when it comes to real-time communication - once concert-goers have engaged with the database, we will be able to send them real-time weather or parking updates when needed. While there may be a bit of a learning curve at first, we’re confident that patrons will love interacting with this new digital platform.”

The move to digital programs is just one of many initiatives the Symphony is taking to ensure the health and safety of all involved with its events. As the WSO prepares for its return to indoor performances in Century II this July, the organization is determined to enact current health advisories and address public health concerns. The safety of musicians, patrons, and staff remains paramount.
 

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