For the 38th consecutive year, the Sunflower Music Festival is organizing concerts from June 20-28 in White Concert Hall featuring the sound of classical and vibrant jazz music.
The festival’s diverse programming spans nine nights, featuring a rich blend of orchestra, chamber ensembles, and jazz starting at 7:30 p.m. each day. Each evening showcases caliber musicians from across the country and worldwide, performing masterworks by composers such as Haydn, Schumann, Debussy, Barber, Brahms and Beethoven.
This exhilarating, nine-day celebration offers free concerts featuring internationally acclaimed musicians in orchestra, chamber and jazz performances tradition that continues to bring captivating artistry to the heart of Kansas.
Beyond its performances, the Sunflower Music Festival is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists through the Blanche Bryden Institute. This educational initiative invites talented high school and collegiate musicians to participate in intensive coaching, masterclasses, and outreach performances under the mentorship of festival professionals. Students not only sharpen their craft but also have the unique opportunity to perform on the festival stage at White Concert Hall, making the event a vibrant hub for both world-class artistry and musical education.
Lana Balka, Sunflower Music Festival president, emphasizes that the vision of the festival has remained the same over time, providing free concerts to the public with high-caliber musicians. Building upon this commitment, the festival has expanded its vision at the initiative of Washburn University. The Blanche Bryden program was added to include high school and college students in the program, where they would have an opportunity to be tutored and instructed by the wonderful musicians who are a part of the Sunflower Music Festival, Balka emphasized.
“Washburn University wanted an opportunity for some of the talented classical musical students in the area to be exposed and have the benefit of the wonderful instruction that these musicians could offer who participated in the Sunflower Music Festival,” Balka said.
Furthermore, the Blanche Bryden Institute performances will provide a unique opportunity to witness the talent of aspiring high school and collegiate musicians who have benefited from intensive coaching by the festival’s professional artists.
The story of Sunflower Music Festival originated in 1987 with the aim of providing high-caliber concerts for free to the public during a two-week period in June. Balka states that the inspiration behind it came from a conversation between Charles Stegeman and Russell Patterson, who were both involved in the Lyric Opera in Kansas City. During their conversation, they came up with the idea that launching a music series in Topeka would be a great initiative, which ultimately led to the creation of the festival. Remarkably, Stegeman is considered the founder of Sunflower Music Festival and has remained deeply involved, serving as the festival’s artistic director for all 38 years.
According to Paul Post, Sunflower Music Festival treasurer, White Concert Hall equips exceptional acoustics, with a resonance that is particularly well-suited for orchestral and chamber music. In fact, many renowned musicians who have performed in top venues across the nation consider it one of the finest concert halls in the country. Beyond its sonic qualities, the hall offers a comfortable and spacious setting for the audience, enhancing their overall musical experience.
Audiences can anticipate a diverse range of performances featuring professional musicians from across the nation, like JoAnne Falletta, Rita Costanzi, David Ammer, Derek Lockhart and other renowned artists. From the powerful sound of a full chamber orchestra to the delicate interplay of smaller chamber ensembles, the festival offers something for every musical palate.
Highlighting the annual list, Liz Stratton Jazz Night on June 23 featuring guest artists Todd Wilkinson, David Basse and Lisa Henry, adds a vibrant dimension to the festival’s offerings.
Daniel Albertson, Sunflower Music Festival coordinator, states that this year’s season will feature “Back for Seconds”, a follow-up to last year’s “Seasons of Firsts.” He says that many of the works that were performed last year were the first major works from a lot of composers so this year is “Back for Seconds” like Haydn’s Second Symphony, Beethoven’s Second Symphony, Schumann Second Symphony, as well as a variety of other works, affirming the main idea behind the program this year.
“This year, we’re very delighted to welcome back JoAnne Falletta, who’s a Grammy-winning conductor and artistic director in Buffalo, New York,” Albertson said.
Adding another layer of anticipation to this year’s festival is the planned inclusion of chamber music performances in the soon-to-be-opened Recital Hall on the Washburn University campus. This marks a significant moment for the Sunflower Music Festival, offering a fresh and intimate acoustic space for chamber ensembles that has never before been utilized by the festival. This new venue promises a unique and exciting experience for both performers and audience members.
The Festival’s commitment to providing these high-caliber musical experiences to the public entirely free of charge is a core value of its identity. This raises the question: How can such a significant undertaking be financially sustainable?
According to Post, the answer lies in a deeply rooted community-based model. The festival relies on the generous support of individuals who have cherished it for years, as well as those who have newly discovered its magic. Crucial funding also comes from charitable foundations and local Topeka corporations. This combination of sources allows the festival to raise the necessary funds to produce its annual nine-day celebration of music without ever charging anything to the audience.
While the idea of ticket sales has been occasionally discussed, the steadfast commitment remains to keep the festival accessible to everyone in the Topeka community and beyond, attracting attendees from neighboring cities like Kansas City, Post mentioned.
Maintaining a festival of this level naturally presents ongoing challenges, with consistent fundraising being the primary concern.
In the early years, the festival benefited from strong support by prominent Topeka-based corporations whose CEOs personally contributed and championed the cause. However, over time, many of these companies have downsized, relocated, or ceased operations, leading to a significant shift in the funding landscape.
“It’s individual folks who have a passion about the Sunflower music festival that are willing to call on their friends and neighbors and people they do business with,” Post said.
The decline of local giant companies and the shift of headquarters for companies like Evergy mean that the festival now relies more heavily on passionate individual donors, charitable foundations and local businesses to sustain its mission.
This creates a more competitive environment, as the Sunflower Music Festival is one of many worthy arts organizations looking for support within a potentially smaller local funding pool.
“There were many companies in Topeka that are no longer here, like Payless ShoeSource, for example, as one. I can quickly think of other companies that the board considered, Merchants Bank was one of them,” Post said.
Despite these challenges, the board remains committed to keeping the festival accessible to everyone, steadfastly resisting ticket sales to preserve its free, community-centered spirit.
Post emphasizes the unique and invaluable nature of the Sunflower Music Festival. He expresses a hope that leaders in Topeka should be more vocal and proactive in supporting and promoting the Sunflower Music Festival because it’s a very special and uncommon event, recognizing the rarity and significance of this festival.
The Festival’s enduring success is rooted in its vibrant history and community-driven mission. Since its founding in 1987, the festival has brought together internationally recognized musicians and rising stars, transforming Topeka into a hub for world-class performances each June. Hosted at Washburn University’s White Concert Hall, the festival’s programming includes orchestra, chamber ensembles, and jazz, ensuring a diverse musical experience for all attendees.
Recognizing the rarity and significance of this festival of such high caliber, active community support is essential to ensure its continued vibrancy and accessibility for all. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the magic of classical and jazz music at White Concert Hall from June 20-28. Whether a lifelong classical enthusiast or simply curious to experience something new, the festival welcomes all to discover the beauty of these performances.
Edited by Stuti Khadka and Morgan Albrecht
