HESSTON – South central Kansas will be the destination for five world class musical acts in a variety of backgrounds and genres when Hesston College and Bethel College (North Newton) team up to host the 2014-15 Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts 2014-15 season.
 “This season features a lineup of great entertainment with return performances by past audience favorites and debut performances by artists who are among the best in the world,” said HBPA director Matthew Schloneger.
The season kicks off with Third Coast Percussion at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 24, at Bethel College’s Krehbiel Auditorium. Through their unique musical style, the ensemble explores and expands the possibilities of the percussion repertoire by fusing the energy of rock music with the precision and nuance of classical chamber works. Third Coast Percussion is the ensemble-in-residence at the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.
Music theatre aficionados will be delighted with the widely acclaimed musical revue of Broadway’s most celebrated shows at Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 7, at Bethel College’s Memorial Hall. Berg, a composer, lyricist and producer, assembled a cast of five Broadway stars accompanied by an all-star New York band for the show which recreates the greatest moments in musical theatre from the last century. Audience members will have the opportunity to audition prior to the evening’s concert for a chance to sing onstage with the cast. More information on the singing competition auditions will be released at a later date.
One of the world’s most lauded brass ensembles, St. Louis Brass, will present an iconic program at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 29, at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus. The ensemble is one of America’s longest standing brass quintets with a 41-year history. St. Louis Brass covers a repertoire from contemporary composers to Baroque and Renaissance music, jazz and original compositions.
The King Singers, who have been called “the world’s greatest male a cappella vocal ensemble” return for their seventh HBPA appearance at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 23 in Hesston College’s Yost Center. Hailing from England, the sextet is admired and recognized for musical excellence, entertainment and British humor. Their HBPA concert will feature music from the Great American Songbook.
The season’s final performance will feature Trio Voronezh, the Russian folk trio of accordion, domra and bass balalaika, at 3 p.m., April 12, at Hesston Mennonite Church. The trio’s repertoire ranges from classical masterworks to Russian folk songs, Argentine tangos, gypsy dance music, bluegrass and popular Gershwin songs.
HBPA season tickets are available from $75 to $85 for adults. Single tickets can also be purchased for individual performances. Discounts are available for students and senior citizens.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 620-327-8158 or go to hesstonbethel.org.
The Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts series, now in its 33rd year, is a collaborative effort of Hesston College and Bethel College, presenting five performances by world-renowned or regionally acclaimed artists each year. HBPA is funded in part by the cities of Hesston and North Newton, Excel Industries and Hustler Turf Equipment, the Hesston Community Foundation and area patrons.