“The Three E’s”, ‘E’njoyment – ‘E’ducation & ‘E’ntertainment"
Coming from the “Show Me” state of Missouri, the Harmonica Club of Greater KC prides it’s self on being a learning club. We practice “The Three E’s”, ‘E’njoyment – ‘E’ducation & ‘E’ntertainment. Everyone has fun. We love learning and love sharing our enthusiasm with others. The non-profit group has performed for a verity of events and has performed at festivals, radio stations, senior citizen homes, nursing homes, hospitals, etc. The harmonica has the ability to lift spirits and can be therapeutic. It is great exercise for your lungs and has been used in care centers for that purpose.
Missouri’s own famous folklore artist, Thomas Hart Benton, who’s work is shown in the Missouri state capitol in Jefferson City, loved the harmonica so much that he included the harmonica prominently in his series of paintings on American music and arts. He even released an album called “Saturday Night at Tom Benton’s in 1941.
Harmonic Club Name Change
Out with the Old and in with the New. The first meeting of the Kansas City Harmonica Club was held March 4, 1976 at a music store in the Kansas City area. Over the years the KC Harmonicateers club membership had been dying a slow death. The few remaining club members analyzed the loss of membership and considered other possible reasons for the decline. Implementing changes in the format of the monthly meetings and providing a central location for the meetings has been important changes. The leadership has been strengthened by having a good board of directors and has resulted in a turn around. Harmonica classes are offered and the class-participants are encouraged to join the harmonica club to further their interests in the harmonica. The club recently voted to change their name to the “Harmonica Club of Greater Kansas City.” The ‘new name’ breathes in new life. Our club welcomes new players of all levels, from those wanting to learn, to the more experienced. The club has grown from a few four or five to as many as thirty-five. We frequently receive telephone calls from people interested in attending club meetings. Out with the old and in with the new has been a positive change. We eagerly look forward to meeting new members. Club meetings are held the second Thursday, 6:30 PM at the Wexford Place in the Stafford Room, 6500 N Cosby Avenue, KC, MO 64154 Off of I 29 West on NW 64th Street, to Cosby Ave.
Our local harmonica club is associated with the international non-profit organization called SPAH, which is ‘The Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica.’ Through SPAH, members meet other harmonica enthusiasts who are interested in helping preserve and advance this musical instrument. They have yearly conventions through out the United States.