I remember that it was a fall morning when the orchestra (管弦乐队) teachers came into Miss Newell’s third-grade classroom. “You have hands for the viola (中提琴),” Miss Ciano told me. I was excited because my hands were finally good for something. I told my parents I wanted to play, and naturally, they agreed.

Since I first touched the viola, I haven’t been able to put it down. Ignoring the difficulty, I am pulled closer to it each day.

Classical music is truly my best friend. It is the trusted friend of every man, woman and child. Various feelings are expressed in classical music. I discovered that when I was eleven and played a cello concerto (大提琴协奏曲) of Bach in a competition, the first movement was joyful, but the second movement was mysterious and full of pain. From the piece, I learned that music expresses not only feelings, but also sudden mood changes. By listening to classical music, I know that someone else shares these feelings. Since I am lucky enough to be able to play classical music, I am comforted by it when I am upset. It gives me a way to escape from my problems for a short period. Classical music can express my joy, sadness and anger.

Now look back at that fall day in the third grade and think how gullible I was for believing that anyone, even music teachers, could tell whether hands were perfect for a certain instrument. I’m certain they told me I had “viola hands” not because they were fortune-tellers, but because there was a lack of violists in our district. Classical music is one of the best things that ever happened to mankind. If you get introduced to it in the right way, it will become your friend for life.

When he was young, Louis Armstrong was taking what was called “Creole jazz”, which was also called dance music, and combining it with trumpeter(小号手) Buddy Bolden, to create what would eventually become today’s jazz.

Armstrong accomplished this with almost no formal training. He received little training before he was placed in the New Orleans Colored Waif’s Home at the age of 12, after a run-in(小争执) with the police. The punishment turned out to be a mixed blessing, for he also had the opportunity to play in a real band.

While at the Waif’s, Armstrong also got the chance to hear some of the city’s finest musicians. Cornetist Freddie Keppard performed in a nearby club. So did trumpeter and bandleader King Joe Oliver, who took the boy under his wing and taught him how to read music and work on his playing technique.

When Oliver left for Chicago, Armstrong chose to stay in New Orleans and work with some of the other top musicians of the day. In Chicago, King Oliver offered him a place in his band in 1922. It became Armstrong’s biggest challenge yet — the band had no parts written for trumpet, so he was forced to listen to King Oliver and improvise(即兴创作).

Soon, Armstrong’s undeniable talent was getting noticed. Even classically trained musicians would come to hear the incredible sounds this young man created.

Lil Hardin, the band’s piano player and the future Mrs. Armstrong, explained that Oliver kept Armstrong in the second trumpet-chair so that Oliver would still be “King”. Hardin convinced him to leave the band.

Armstrong moved to New York City in 1924 to join Fletcher Henderson’s band and then flew solo. In 1925, Armstrong put together the Hot Five, expanding his popularity even more. Armstrong recorded his first composition, Cornet Chop Suey, one of the most copied jazz solos of all time. This monumental 1928 recording blends(混合) artistry, endurance and showmanship that has rarely, if ever, been matched in jazz.

At the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, everyone has an opportunity to experience excellence.

The Music of John Williams

Experience the excitement of cinema’s greatest music in these concerts featuring the scores (配乐) of the world’s most beloved film composer, John Williams. In his 60-year-long career, Williams has written some of the most popular film music in movie history. This promises to be an unforgettable concert experience.

Time: Friday, October 22, 8 p.m.

Price: $100

Shen Yun 2021

Through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun shows a heaven with ancient stories and modern tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture .

A Shen Yun performance features the world’s best-trained dancers, a unique orchestra (管弦乐队), and a beautiful stage — together creating one amazing performance .

Time: Sunday , October 18, 1:30 p.m.

Price: $80

The Nutcracker

Kansas City Ballet’s annual tradition, The Nutcracker, is back to amaze audiences once again. The classic, Victorian-ега story by E.T.A. Hoffman is a magical theatrical experience with beautiful costumes, grand sets and fascinating choreography (编舞).

Let you feel the story once more as your childhood dreams return and inspire you to imagine again .

Time: Friday, December 3, 7:30 p.m.

Price: $152.50

Bird Lives

Live music has faced great challenges over the past year and a half, but nothing reflect the lasting power of jazz like the great Charlie Parker. In this concert, we will feature music from Bird’s most iconic album, Charlie Parker with Strings and the mastery of alto saxophonists (中音萨克斯管吹奏者) Jaleel Shaw, David Valdez and Bobby Watson .

Time: Friday, October 8, 8 p.m.

Price: $45