A standing ovation for Simon Estes on Monday Oct. 10 in the Building 6 Auditorium.
Simon Estes performed at the DMACC Fall Concert with the Ankeny Concert Choir and the Chamber Ensemble on Monday Oct. 10 in the Building 6 auditorium.
The DMACC Concert Choir and Chamber Ensemble, which had around 25 students in it, performed six songs. Jim Loos, DMACC Music Program Chair, conducted the concert.
“It has been an ongoing issue since mid-summer, getting Simon to sing at this concert. He has mainly been going through the President’s office. I have only been working with him since August,” Loos said. Estes sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Rodgers and Hammerstein and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”
Estes grew up in Centerville, Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa before moving onto Juilliard School of Music in New York City. After he had finished at Juilliard, Estes moved to Germany to sing opera. He has now been performing for around 52 years. During the concert, he spoke of how he got to sing with Whitney Houston, John Denver, and Johnny Cash.
Estes, who was given a standing ovation after every song, gave a short speech during the concert, cracking jokes and talking about his time singing all over the world. He said he was honored and thrilled to be at DMACC. Estes is going to be a part-time guest lecturer at DMACC starting in spring 2017.
“I will be working with students, some privately- giving voice lessons and then with classes. I will probably be involved in fundraising, which I am happy to do,” Estes said. “I plan to be at DMACC for a number of years, I will not be here every day but every week or at least every month,” Estes said.
Simon Estes performs at Fall DMACC Concert on Monday October 10th in the Building 6 Auditorium – Photo by Bailey Brooker
Estes has a few concerts overseas but plans to spend as much time at DMACC as he can. Estes still is teaching a few classes at Iowa State University, so he will be splitting his time between both colleges.
Estes was recently honored into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History last September.
“I couldn’t believe it. I did not expect it at all, I am very humbled and honored,” Estes said.
The diverse crowd was split between DMACC students, parents of those performing and others from the community.
Estes stayed after the concert to sign autographs and take pictures with audience members.
“It was very impressive to see Simon Estes perform in person,” said DMACC student Jordan Zemanek, 19, from Pella, Iowa.
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