You take care of the grass, it ll take care of you. Overheard at the Hitchin Post Bar, Matfield Green, Kansas. Illustration by Bruce Brock

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1 Spring 2010 issue 10 You take care of the grass, it ll take care of you. Overheard at the Hitchin Post Bar, Matfield Green, Kansas Illustration by Bruce Brock Fifth Anniversary Symphony In The Flint Hills Ranching on the Tallgrass Prairie By the time you arrive in the heart of the Flint Hills for the mid-june Symphony, one hundred fifty thousand head of yearling steers will have arrived in Chase County before you. For almost two months they will have been grazing the mineral-rich grass, gaining almost four pounds a day. Cowboys have been riding out to look over the cattle and check the count as often as they can. There s been fence to fix, water gaps to replace, stray cattle to identify and sort. For hundreds of years, the cycle of new grass has brought the grazers first, bison in vast herds and now cattle by the truckloads. By the mid-1800 s, the activities their care requires were established and now remain as time-honored traditions. We ll be celebrating together the ranching culture that has preserved the last significant remnant of the Tallgrass Prairie on the North American continent. Wear a big hat with a snug fit. We are all going to have a good time.

2 little bluestem Wade Parsons LYLE LOVETT The four time Grammy award winner, returns to the Flint Hills to join friends and the Kansas City Symphony to celebrate the tallgrass prairie at the Fifth Anniversary of Symphony in the Flint Hills. A great song is a song that makes you think and makes listening an honest emotional experience. - LYLE LOVETT Trail Boss Says: BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT CHECK YOUR CINCH...AND A FEW OTHER THINGS Wear good walking shoes. Sandals or open-toed footwear are not recommended. Plan 40 minutes to walk leisurely ¾ mile from the parking area along the Wildflower Trail to the concert site. The trail has a few hills, but the views are spectacular and the June wildflowers will be in full bloom. The trail will be well marked with hay bale seating along the way. If you prefer not to walk, trucks pulling hay wagons will take you through the pasture to the concert site. Transportation via ADA-equipped vans from the ADA parking area will be provided for people with disabilities. Display your ADA Parking Tag. If you have questions or concerns, please call UMB is proud to return as Major Presenting Sponsor for the 2010 Symphony in the Flint Hills. UMB is proud to have a long tradition of supporting the arts and agriculture. This commitment includes ongoing partnerships with leading regional arts organizations like the Kansas City Symphony and local organizations and schools to cultivate the artistic talent of our youth. We also support a variety of programs that showcase the important impact of ranching and farming. The Symphony in the Flint Hills uniquely pairs arts and agriculture, creating a harmonious balance not only for UMB s philanthropic focus areas, but for the communities who revere this unique event. REMEMBER: Come early enough not to be caught in the rush hour. If you are not parked and headed toward the ticket gate by 5:30 p.m., you may be late! Dress casually and comfortably for a warm June day. Wear a hat, bring sunscreen, and bug repellent chiggers may be active. Rental chairs are available for a $2 token at the concert site. There is room to spread out a blanket if you prefer. A token system will be in place for all purchases on site, except at the Flint Hills Store Tent. Plan to purchase $2 tokens to exchange for food, iced bottled water, beer, wine, iced tea, lemonade, Field Journals, rental chairs and homemade cookies. All other activities are included in the price of your ticket. Smoking only in designated Smoking Tent. Please do not smoke elsewhere. Your cooperation is appreciated. Audio and video recorders are not allowed during the Symphony performance. 2

3 PLEASE DO NOT BRING: Alcoholic beverages or glass containers. All bags and coolers will be inspected before you may enter through the Ticket Gate (Kansas Alcohol Beverage Control regulations). Hard-sided coolers transport to and from the concert site will be difficult. Coolers take up room on hay wagons that could be used by others who need to ride. Pets, except special service dogs. Please Recycle Plastic Bottles and Plastic Cups Volunteers will help you separate plastic bottles and plastic cups from other trash. Recycle receptacles for plastics will be clearly marked. A commitment to environmental sustainability underlies all our efforts. We are increasing our efforts to recycle trash at this year s event, and we invite you to be aware of ways you can help. IT S NOT GOING TO RAIN ON JUNE 12TH IS IT? It is expected that Saturday, June 12, 2010, will be the most glorious day of the year! However, remember that Nature is our partner in this event. IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER If bad weather threatens, we will make every effort to go on with the event as planned; however, everyone s safety must be the first concern. If weather looks threatening before the event, visit the website for last-minute updates and instructions: symphonyintheflinthills.org., Facebook and Twitter. If the performance has to be interrupted because of sudden changes in the weather, please follow the directions of the Master of Ceremonies and help your neighbor. DO NOT seek shelter in the tents or try to get back to your automobile. Low ground is the safest place to be. We can resume the concert after the weather threat has passed. If we can t continue, save your wristband; it will be your entry ticket for the rain date concert. RAIN DATE Sunday, June 13, 2010, 6:45 p.m. IN CASE OF RAIN ON BOTH DAYS, ARE TICKETS REFUNDABLE? No ticket refunds, no ticket exchanges. In case of event cancellation, your ticket may be used as a taxdeductible contribution. SHOULD I BRING A PICNIC? Award-winning barbeque dinners with a vegetarian option will be available for purchase at the concert site, as well as iced tea, lemonade, cold water, wine and beer. You may bring a picnic, but you will need to carry it with you. Due to limited space, hard-sided coolers are not allowed on any of the transport vehicles. Please do not bring glass containers; use nonbreakable ones. Thank you. WILL THERE BE WATER AVAILABLE? Yes. Free water and cups will be available at the concert site. Bring your own refillable bottles and plan to drink lots of water. Refillable water bottles will be for sale in the Flint Hills Store Tent. Chilled bottled water will be available for purchase at the Homemade Cookies and Iced Bottled Water Tent. WHAT KINDS OF WINE AND BEER ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE? Chardonnay, Cabernet, Boulevard Beer on tap HOW EARLY MAY I COME? Parking open all day. Ticket gate opens at 1:00 p.m. Rides to the site on the wagons will begin and the Wildflower Trail opens. I M P L A N N I N G T O A R R I V E E A R LY I N T H E A F T E R N O O N. WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CONCERT SITE? Horse-drawn covered wagon rides and guided prairie walks. Food. Presentations by experts on Prairie Chickens and Wildflowers. Solar telescopes and ranch horse demonstrations. Kansas City Symphony Instrument Petting Zoo. Silent Art Auction. Panels of Women Ranchers and Kansas poets. Artist Lisa Grossman presents a Plein Air Perspective, and Makers of Custom Cowboy Gear discuss their art. For complete list, see Schedule of Activities in the Weekend Guide or visit symphonyintheflinthills.org. 3

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6 Stephen Perry Symphony In The Flint Hills Field Journal, Volume II The Fifth Anniversary edition focuses on Ranching in the Tallgrass Prairie. From Cattle in the Flint Hills to Traditional Arts of the Cowboy, from Ranching for the Birds to Managing Flint Hills Grasslands, each article provides insight into some facet of ranching in these beautiful hills. Our authors are experts in their fields, and our artists have a respect and affection for the Flint Hills that is quite evident. You will find space in the journal for your own reflections and observations. To commemorate the event and heighten your awareness of the experience, simple pencils will be provided (and colored pencils will be offered for sale), but please feel free to bring your own pens or watercolors for sketching and note taking. Look for the 160-page, hardbound Field Journal in the Flint Hills Store Tent, the Patron Tent and from volunteers selling them on site. The 2009 Field Journal, Volume I, is currently posted on the website. You may obtain a copy of the 2009 edition by calling Limited Edition Fine Art Print For the past three years, artists who paint in the Flint Hills have been invited to submit original artwork for a Silent Art Auction. Each year one painting is selected to be reproduced as a commemorative fine art print. Juror Connie Bonfy, Executive Director, Salina Arts and Humanities Commission, selected Drama at Sunset by Deb Schroer, a Chase County artist, for the 2010 limited edition print. Signed and numbered prints will be available for purchase at the event. Visit the Silent Art Auction Tent to view the thirty-two paintings by nineteen artists and participate in the bidding that begins at 1:00 p.m. and concludes at the end of the intermission. The paintings may be previewed at symphonyintheflinthills.org. Welcome Back, Maestro For the second year in a row, Steven Jarvi, Associate Conductor of the Kansas City Symphony returns to conduct our concert in the tallgrass prairie. I had the best time on and off the podium and was truly moved by the entire experience I can t wait to do it again! We re all looking forward to being together in a few short weeks! 6

7 Note from the Chair... Our staff and volunteers are working at a furious pace in preparation for the June 12 celebration in the Flint Hills the Fifth Anniversary Symphony in the Flint Hills concert. There are countless details to ponder and plan for, all for the sake of making this a day we ll all fondly remember for many years. Because this is the fifth concert, we ve been able to learn by experience and focus our attention to the glitches and opportunities to enhance the experience. Designing a parking area on the prairie for more than 3,000 vehicles with an exit strategy that guarantees an orderly and prompt departure is a significant challenge. I want you to know we ve made this challenge a priority this year, and I m excited about the new, professionally designed strategy for parking and exiting. You can help us with your patience and politeness, both of which are qualities of Kansans and prairie enthusiasts. I m proud about this year s theme, Ranching on the Tallgrass Prairie. You ll find this theme is reflected in the educational programs, which start at 1:00 p.m. Please come early, take in the whole experience, and join me in the after concert activities that are designed to cap off an exciting day in the Flint Hills. This newsletter contains important information and helpful hints in preparation for your arrival on June 12. Please share this with other ticket holders who may not be on our mailing list. A copy will also be available at symphonyintheflinthills.org. One final thought, thank you ticket purchasers, sponsors, patrons, and volunteers for your support and commitment to the Flint Hills. We look forward to welcoming you to this festive and celebratory day on the tallgrass prairie! Mike Beam, Board Chair Symphony in the Flint Hills, Inc. Stephen Perry After The Sun Goes Down We invite you to stay after the symphonic concert ends. Visit with friends or dance on a big wooden dance floor to the old-time acoustic music of the Blackstock Band, with their fiddles, banjos, guitars, and harmonicas. Stroll out to the Hillside Observatory and stargaze through telescopes. At the Story Circle enjoy Flint Hills songwriter and poet, Annie Wilson; National Champion Cowboy Poet, Geff Dawson; and guitar-playing storyteller, Jeff Davison. Food and beverages will be served until 11 p.m. in the Food Tent. 7

8 Spring 2010 issue Cottonwood Avenue Strong City, Kansas (620) symphonyintheflinthills.org blue grama Wade Parsons FIFTH ANNIVERSARY 2010 CONCERT LOCATION South Clements Pasture Bluestem Cattle Company Go seven miles south of Cottonwood Falls on National Scenic Byway Kansas Highway 177. Turn west at the historic Bazaar School House. Continue west on Rock Road eight miles to concert site. The site for the Fifth Anniversary Concert is on privately owned ranchland in Chase County. DISTANCE TO Bazaar Topeka: 87 miles (southwest) Manhattan: 68 miles (south) Wichita: 69 miles (northeast) Kansas City: 135 miles (southwest) Lawrence: 104 miles (southwest) Emporia: 30 miles (southwest) For more detailed maps for all approaches, please visit maps.google.com