Johnson County, Kansas is a vibrant county with a wide variety of musical acts that span multiple genres. From classical music performed by the Overland Park Civic Band to indie-pop rock groups like King, there is something for everyone in this vibrant county. The Overland Park Civic Band has been present in Johnson County since 1938 and is comprised of about sixty adult musicians, both amateur and professional, from throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. The band presents free seasonal public concerts featuring a variety of classical and contemporary music.
Additionally, the band has been honored by the Kansas Band Teachers Association (KBA) for their contributions to music. The band presented the opening concert of the Missouri Music Directors Association in 1995 and has been invited by the city of Wichita to perform at its Riverfest Festival. The KBA has also invited the band to perform at their annual convention in recent years. The Johnson County Park Recreation District's 50 Plus program provides an opportunity for seniors to participate in musical activities while also offering intergenerational bands for all ages.
Parisi collaborates with the 50 Plus program to form an intergenerational band. Other local bands, such as Larry Emmett and the Sliders, The Bygones, and The Holidays, entertained area teenagers at the two Soc Hop locations in Johnson County in the early 1960s. An important element of the national counterculture in the late 1960s and early 1970s extended to Johnson County. Local rock bands in the late 1960s did their best to succeed, but they had to overcome many obstacles along the way.
Now based in Kansas City, King graduated from a five-member indie-pop rock group with an EP of five songs and two singles. The Johnson County Park Recreation District's 50 Plus program gives priority to participants who are 50 years of age or older. The band New Horizons from Roeland Park, which is part of the New Horizons International Music Association, is offered by the Department of Over 50 of the Johnson County Park Recreation District, in collaboration with the UMKC Conservatory. No matter what type of music you're looking for, Johnson County has something for everyone.
From classical music to indie-pop rock groups, there is something for everyone in this vibrant county. Whether you're looking for a free concert or an intergenerational band experience, Johnson County has it all.
