Roots and Wings

Roots and Wings was the name given to the concert that Warren and I attended Thursday evening.  The concert featured Simon Estes, a choir made up of selected high school students from our county, and a young man returning to college in hopes of becoming a performer.  For a finial selection the choir sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic with Estes.  That is an experience that they should not soon forget.  I know the adults in the audience will not. 

Simon Estes sang several Africian-American spirtiuals, I Got Plenty O'Nuttin' from Porgy and Bess, You'll Never Walk Alone, Ol' Man River and maybe my favorite Without a Song.

Our small county needed to raise about twenty-one thousand to cover this event and they got around twenty-five. There were two $5000 donations.  I forgot to purchase our tickets early so when they arrived we were not seated together.  Warren took the ticket with the seat that was front center three rows up.  Our thought was that at intermission we would switch seats.  Lucky for us the seats next to him were no shows. So I joined him right before the performance began.  At the age of 73 Estes still has a magnificent bass-baritone voice.  Our tickets included a reception afterwards.  Warren took my picture with Estes.  He is a very gracious man. 

Friday Simon Estes spoke to all county high school students on “Your Dream is the First Step to Success”.  It followed with a question and answer session. Simon Estes is doing this in all 99 Iowa counties.  He truly gives back to his home state.  Monies raised will be go to his scholarship program for promising your artists and local scholarships programs. 
GREAT Evening!!