Simon Estes to sing at Luther College in June

Simon Estes performs in 2003 at Luther College (Luther Archives photo)

Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival has announced renowned vocalist Simon Estes will perform a free concert for the public at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 25th, at the Luther College Center for Faith & Life.

Estes, a native of Centerville, Iowa, first sang at the age of eight in the city's Second Baptist Church. While working his way through the University of Iowa as a pre-med and psychology student, he became the first black member of the University's Old Gold Singers. As a member of this group Mr. Estes came to the attention of faculty member Charles Kellis, his first and only voice teacher. Simon Estes was granted a full scholarship to attend Julliard School of Music and received a Martha Baird Rockefeller Foundation grant. The New York Community Trust and NAACP provided funds for Simon to audition at the Deutsche Opera in West Berlin.  On  April 19, 1965, he made his operatic debut with the Deutsche Opera as Ramfis in Aida.

Known throughout the world for his opera, concert, and recital performances, as well as for his recordings and appearances in television shows including the Tonight Show and the Today Show, Simon Estes still finds time to share his love and knowledge of music with students from elementary school through college with master classes and lectures. He is Professor at Iowa State University and Wartburg College.  In his master classes, across the country and the world, Dr. Estes teaches not only music, but artistic and personal values as well.

Beginning in March 2010 Simon Estes embarked on his Roots & Wings Tour which will bring him to perform in all of Iowa's 99 counties.  Estes contributes half of his fee from these concerts to the Simon Estes Foundation in Des Moines to support scholarships for graduating high school seniors in the counties where he has performed. To date 100 scholarships have been awarded, totaling over $120,000.

Mr. Estes' first degree was a Bachelor of Music from the University of Iowa. He has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from Luther College, Drake University, Iowa State University and Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.  In July of 1996, he received "The Iowan Award" from Governor Terry Branstad--the state's highest honor that has been given only 13 times since its inception more than 40 years ago.

Additionally, the LSM brass faculty will perform at Lawn Chair Night at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26. The event will take place on the Courthouse lawn in downtown Decorah. Featured performers include Paul Morton (trumpet); Ashley Hall (trumpet); Bruce Atwell (French horn); Dylan Chmura-Moore (trombone); and Stephanie Frye (tuba).

In addition to the concert by Simon Estes, the Lutheran Summer Music Concert & Recital Series will include over performances between June 23rd and July 21st in Luther's Noble Recital Hall and Luther's Center for Faith and Life.

For a complete list of performances and most up-to-date information, visit www.lutheransummermusic.org.