Conductor returns to Sunflower Music Fest

Topeka — Symphony No. 4, Op. 90, A major, by Felix Mendelssohn will highlight the opening concert of the annual Sunflower Music Festival at 7:30 p.m. Friday at White Concert Hall on the Washburn University campus.

The 2003 festival, which runs from Friday through June 7, is comprised of eight concerts performed by nationally recognized chamber musicians and chamber music students.

All concerts are free and open to the public.

Richard Buckley, who has led more main-stage performances at the Lyric Opera of Chicago than any other American conductor, will return as conductor.

Concerts on June 1 and 3 will feature students participating in the Blanche Bryden Sunflower Music Festival Summer Institute, which provides young musicians advanced study and performance experience in chamber music with master teachers and performers.

Doors to all events open at 6:30 p.m. For more information and a complete schedule of events, call (785) 231-1010, Ext. 1511.

Youth theater to offer summer workshops

Kansas City, Mo. — Youngsters interested in drama will have an opportunity to act in Theatre for Young America’s summer drama workshops, which begin June 14.

Saturday morning workshops run through Aug. 9. Weeklong workshops through the summer begin each Monday and last for two hours each day through Friday.

Students aged 3 to 18 can take part in a variety of themed workshops. Saturday workshops include “Saturdays with Seuss,” “Fairytale Follies,” “Knights and Damsels of the Round Table,” and “Edgar Allen Poe Onstage.” Saturday workshop tuition is $78 with discounts available.

One-week workshops for younger students include “The American Girls,” “Thomas the Tank Engine,” “Babar,” “Curious George,” and “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse.” Themes for older students include “The American Girls,” “Improvisation,” “Auditioning Workshop,” “Scenes from ‘Lord of the Rings,'” and “Scenes from ‘The Boxcar Children.'” Tuition for one-week workshops is $89 with discounts available.

For more information, call (913) 831-2131 or visit www.tya.org.