Kelly Tastove: The Making of the Symphony in the Flint Hills

Kelly Tastove is the Operations Manager & Donor Relations Manager of the Symphony in the Flint Hills, a 20 year tradition bringing the Kansas City Symphony to various ranches across Kansas’s tallgrass prairie for a celebration of music, art, and the unique ecology of the Flint Hills. The signature event is at the top of every Kansan’s bucket list.

For attendees, the event is idyllic. But behind the scenes, Kelly and her team, their volunteers, and the ranchers offering up their land have navigated the impossible to make the magic happen - bringing the Kansas City Symphony to the middle of the prairie and hosting 7,500 guests with no orchestra shell, no power, no sound system, no parking, no restrooms, no food, & no water, and praying Mother Nature cooperates! 

In today’s episode, we cover everything from the birthday party that started it all, to the history of the land and the mission of the nonprofit, the behind the scenes details that have made the event possible & what’s in store after this summer’s final concert. It’s a fascinating look at one of our region’s most unique celebrations & ecological treasures - one more reason “there’s just something about Kansas City”!