FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Spire Chamber Ensemble Presents “Reflections”: A Musical Journey Through Five Centuries
Collaboration with William Jewell College Choirs Features Renaissance Masterpieces Alongside Bold Contemporary Reimaginings
KANSAS CITY, MO — The Spire Chamber Ensemble, in collaboration with the acclaimed William Jewell College Concert Choir, will present “Reflections,” an extraordinary concert experience that bridges five centuries of choral music through inspired pairings of Renaissance masterworks and contemporary compositions.
The program invites audiences on a sonic journey that illuminates how timeless sacred texts continue to inspire composers across the ages. At the centerpiece of the evening stands Thomas Tallis’s monumental Spem in alium, the awe-inspiring 40-part motet that has captivated audiences for nearly five centuries since its creation.
“Reflections offers a unique opportunity to experience the luminous clarity of Renaissance polyphony alongside fresh, striking interpretations by today’s most innovative composers,” said Ben A. Spalding, Artistic Director. “These pairings create a musical dialogue that reveals how the same sacred words can inspire profoundly different emotional landscapes.”
A Stellar Lineup of Musical Contrasts
The program features masterful pairings that showcase the evolution of choral composition, including:
- Jan Pieterzoon Sweelinck’s Hodie Christus natus est paired with Francis Poulenc’s modern interpretation
- Tomás Luis de Victoria’s beloved O Magnum Mysterium alongside Poulenc’s 20th-century setting
- William Byrd’s Kyrie from Mass for 5 voices contrasted with Roxanna Panufnik’s contemporary Kyrie after Byrd
- A striking juxtaposition of Byrd’s Ave verum corpus with Roderick Williams’s innovative Ave verum corpus Re-imagined.
The concerts will also feature works by acclaimed contemporary composers Ken Burton, Ben A. Spalding, and Cecilia McDowall, demonstrating the continued vitality of choral composition in the 21st century.
About the Collaborating Artists
The William Jewell College Concert Choir brings exceptional artistry to this collaboration. As a highly selective ensemble comprised of the college’s finest choral singers, the group regularly tackles the most challenging repertoire spanning from Bach to Penderecki, and from Lauridsen to Whitacre.
Performance Details
Saturday, October 4, 2025, 7:30 PM
Redemptorist Catholic Church
3333 Broadway Boulevard
Kansas City, MO
Sunday, October 5, 2025, 3:00 PM
Visitation Church
5141 Main Street
Kansas City, MO
About Spire Chamber Ensemble
Spire Chamber Ensemble is a virtuoso choir and orchestra comprised of distinctive solo artists who are also committed to the highest level of ensemble performance. These musicians travel to Kansas City to perform together, providing audiences with a rare level of choral music-making found anywhere else in the country. The Spire Baroque Orchestra, encompassing the finest historical players, joins world-class singers for concerts of unmatched artistic excellence.
Established in 2010, Spire has quickly evolved into a national phenomenon, lauded for artistry, innovation and mastery at making music that matters to audiences throughout the country. Now in their 16th season, Spire is regarded as one of the preeminent choral-orchestral chamber ensembles in the United States. Led by Founder and Artistic Director Ben A. Spalding, Spire performs repertoire ranging from Baroque and Classical masterpieces with period instruments to newly commissioned works by Jake Runestad, Zachary Wadsworth, John Muehleisen, Jonathan Woody, and Sir James MacMillan.
Ticketing and Membership Information
Individual concert tickets start at $25, with student tickets available for $10 with valid ID (plus fees). The Spire Maestro’s Circle membership offers tickets to all three main season concerts FREE, plus exclusive VIP receptions, special intimate concert invitations, and additional benefits for classical music enthusiasts.
Tickets are available now at SpireChamberEnsemble.org. Early purchase is recommended as Spire Chamber Ensemble concerts frequently sell out.
Contact Information
Spire Chamber Ensemble
9101 N. Ambassador Drive, Ste 1104
Kansas City, MO 64154
SpireChamberEnsemble.org
For press inquiries, high-resolution images, or interview requests, please contact [email protected]
High-resolution photos and additional press materials available upon request.