As if it's not enough that the Harriman-Jewell Series brings some of the world's best classical performers to Kansas City, it also drops two or three absolutely free Discovery Concerts into each season. On those nights, the crowd is younger and more diverse. Newspaper editorials bemoaning the aging and the attrition of classical music's public have practically become a tradition unto themselves, but the Harriman-Jewell Discovery Concerts give an encouraging sign that reports of classical music's death may be exaggerated. Featuring emerging artists who lack the marquee power of a Renée Fleming or an Emanuel Ax, the free Discovery Concerts draw young couples, families and music teachers with their star pupils. Series founder and director Richard Harriman dreamed up the Discovery Concerts "to offer quality concerts to community members regardless of their means," according to Harriman-Jewell Executive Director Clark Morris. Harriman died in July at age 77, but his namesake legacy continues his mission.
