Crescendo, the annual gala hosted by Friends of the Conservatory, raised more than $1 million this year, a record-breaking amount for the event. The funds raised will support scholarships for students in the Conservatory’s music, dance and theatre departments.
Crescendo has been a staple of the Kansas City performing arts community for more than 25 years. This year, the format of the event was reimagined to showcase the talents of the Conservatory in a new way. The gala was held at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on November 9. Intimate performances took place in small vignettes around the museum and on a runway platform during the gala dinner in Rozzelle Court.
“This year’s Crescendo showcased the extraordinary creativity of our faculty and students who pushed artistic boundaries and inspired our audiences through this innovative new integrated arts format,” said Conservatory Dean Courtney Crappell. “The overwhelming support from our community fills us with gratitude and deepens our commitment to cultivating the next generation of artists who will shape and elevate the cultural landscape of Kansas City for years to come.”
The collage performance will be April 29, 2025 will be in Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the venue where Crescendo has been held for more than a decade. This performance will be in the traditional and beloved Crescendo format that highlights dance, music and theatre in a continuous performance.
Many of the students who perform in Crescendo benefit from the funds raised with student scholarships; more than 70% of Conservatory students receive scholarship or some form of financial assistance to pursue their education and art.
“For many prospective students, access to financial assistance can be the determining factor when deciding on whether or not to pursue an academic degree in the performing arts,” said Mark Mattison, senior director of development with the UMKC Foundation. “Since the day it was founded, the Friends of the Conservatory has been devoted to raising money for student scholarships. Through funds raised through Crescendo 2024, more students than ever before will benefit from their generosity.”
Melanie Rine (BME '94, M.A. '99) was a chairperson for the event, along with her husband, Jim, and honorary chairpersons Jerry and Patty Reece. Rine knows firsthand the importance of financial support.
“As an alumna of the Conservatory, I know the critical impact financial assistance has on a student's life,” Rine said. “That is why we were so honored to help encourage others in the community to support the work of the UMKC Conservatory's incredibly talented students and faculty.”
The internationally renowned UMKC Conservatory was founded more than a century ago, and trains professionals in music, dance and theatre. The Conservatory’s mission is to advance creativity, performance, scholarship and learning in the arts. They are a vital partner in Kansas City’s cultural environment and collaborate deeply with community institutions through performances, workshops and more. Faculty and alumni of the Conservatory have won numerous honors and awards, including Grammys, Pulitzer Prizes and Fulbright and Guggenheim fellowships. The Hollywood Reporter has recognized the UMKC costume design program among the Top 10 in the U.S. for six years in a row.
