Source: Todd Holmberg, 785-532-6425, trholm@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.k-state.edu/mccain
Related story: K-STATE ORCHESTRA PREPARES TO ROCK WITH KANSAS
http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jan11/orchestra12011.html
News release prepared by: Rosalie Hoefling, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu

Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011

ROCK GROUP KANSAS TO HELP CELEBRATE STATE'S 150TH WITH MCCAIN PERFORMANCE

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's McCain Performance Series is offering a special way to celebrate 150 years of Kansas statehood: a concert by the rock band Kansas at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, in McCain Auditorium.

Fusing British progressive rock with an American heartland sound, Kansas will play many of its biggest hits, including "Carry On Wayward Son," "Dust in the Wind" and more. Accompanying the band will be the K-State Orchestra.

"Kansas is considered America's greatest and most successful progressive rock band," said Todd Holmberg, executive director of McCain Auditorium. "They have had an immeasurable influence on contemporary music since the mid-1970s. On that basis alone, I was interested in programming them for the series. Because of the obvious regional ties of the band, I made their K-State appearance more meaningful by timing it with the 150th birthday of the state of Kansas. I invited them to perform with the K-State Orchestra to create an epic celebration for the university and community."

David Littrell, university distinguished professor of music and director of the orchestra, will prepare the orchestra for the performance. The orchestra also will have a three-hour rehearsal with Larry Baird the afternoon of the concert. Baird will be the guest conductor for the performance.

"I knew that this Kansas concert was going to be an extraordinary event in the history of the K-State Orchestra when not only the students, but many of their parents, told me how excited about it they were," Littrell said. "Several students have told me that Kansas is their favorite band. I hope that McCain is packed for what is going to be a most enjoyable concert."

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting at $19.50 for K-State students and $39 for the general public. Discounts for K-State faculty and staff, military, and children are also available. Tickets can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, or by calling 785-532-6428. More information is available online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain.