September 2, 2010

VIP tickets for Kansas concert now available

Special VIP ticket packages are available for the upcoming concert featuring the classic rock band Kansas with the WSU Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, in Hartman Arena. "These seats are literally front and center," said Mark Laycock, WSU director of orchestras. "The band has donated 100 of the best tickets to help raise funds for our instrumental music program. In fact, this is one of the stated goals of their current concert tour as they perform with university orchestras throughout the Midwest."

Three separate packages are offered, the most basic of which features two VIP tickets for $100. A midrange option, for $200, adds two T-shirts and the 2009 concert DVD "Kansas: There's Know Place Like Home." At $500, the premium package buys four VIP tickets, four T-shirts, two DVDs and an opportunity to meet the members of Kansas. All three packages, which are not subject to service fees or convenience charges, include a tax-deductible contribution to the Wichita State University School of Music.

With their self-titled first album released in 1974, Kansas went on to become one of the decade's most popular rock acts. Their hit releases include classic rock albums such as 1976's "Leftoverture" and 1977's "Point of Know Return," along with the smash singles "Carry on Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind."

The band, which comprises singer/keyboardist Steve Walsh, guitarist Rich Williams, bassist Billy Greer, percussionist Phil Ehart, and violinist David Ragsdale, continues to tour in front of large and enthusiastic audiences and to this day remains a fixture on classic rock radio. Additionally, they have reached an entirely new audience through their unmistakable presence on popular video games Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

Eighty members strong, the WSU Symphony Orchestra presents a minimum of three major concerts each semester, together with opera productions, oratorios and an annual concerto-aria competition. The orchestra recently completed a concert tour of the Aragon region of Spain as invited participants in the 2008 International Youth Orchestra Festival.

Other notable performances include the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and numerous appearances at the state conference of the Kansas Music Educators. The collaboration with Kansas will launch the orchestra's 2010-11 concert season, which will be capped by a performance at Carnegie Hall May 28, 2011.

Ticket packages may be purchased in person at the WSU Orchestra office (B118 Duerksen Fine Arts Center) or by contacting Mark Laycock at 978-6202 or mark.laycock@wichita.edu.