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Park University, Paul Mesner Puppets to Perform Vivaldi's Four Seasons with a Twist of Jazz

By Summer A. Evans - December 21, 2005 - 8:45 am
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In a unique artistic collaboration, Park University and the Paul Mesner Puppets join forces with violinist Gregory Sandomirsky, and jazz pianist Bram Wijnands to perform an innovative jazz interpretation of The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi.

The performances will be on the following dates at Park University's Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel in Parkville, Mo.
  • Jan. 22 at 6 p.m.
  • Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Jan. 24 at 10 a.m.
  • Jan. 28 at 2 p.m.
  • Jan. 29 at 6 p.m.
Vivaldi wrote a short poem for each movement of The Four Seasons, and Mesner, Sandomirsky, and Wijnands bring the text to life. Tickets can be purchased at the Central Ticket Office at (816) 235-6222. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $6 for children ages 12 and under.

About Gregory Sandomirsky

Gregory Sandomirsky, violin, holds a master of music degree in violin from the Odessa Conservatory, Russia. He is well known to Kansas City audiences and is currently serving as the Associate Concertmaster of the Kansas City Symphony. In the summer 2003, he served as Guest Concertmaster, Camerata Strumentale "Citta di Prato" at the Academia Musicale, Chigianna Festival, Italy and continues solo appearances throughout Europe. He is currently a faculty member for Park University's Youth Conservatory for Music.

About Bram Wijnands

Bram Wijnands, jazz pianist, holds an equivalent of a Master's Degree in Jazz instrumental education and performance at the Hilversum Conservatory in the Netherlands, the largest school of Jazz in Europe. He settled in Kansas City in 1994 and in 1998 the former Mayor Emmanuel Cleaver proclaimed April 6 as "Bram Wijnands Day" in Kansas City. Currently, Wijnands is involved with the University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory of Music and is currently involved with the Jazz Ambassadors as Program Director/Vice President.

About Paul Mesner Puppets

Paul Mesner is a puppeteer, author and performer living and working in Kansas City, Mo. At the age of 12, he enrolled in his first puppetry classes at the Lincoln Community Playhouse in Neb. After attending the prestigious International Institute of Puppetry in Charleville-Mezier, France for a year, Mesner returned to the U.S. to found the Paul Mesner Puppets in Kansas City, Mo. Throughout the past 18 years he has become a fixture in the Kansas City theater and arts scene and in the national community of puppeteers.

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