Blending professional talent with local artists

This season the festival is proud to bring an original musical production penned by Kansas writing duo, Catherine Trieschmann and Alex Underwood. Based on the short story by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kelly Link, Prince Hat Underground tells the story of Gary and his husband, Prince Hat, whose marriage is thrown into chaos when Prince Hat is abducted by the Queen of Hell. What follows is a wildly imaginative journey through underground tunnels, talking snakes, and magical realms in pursuit of love, hope, and home.

Metamorphosis

The 2017 Ad Astra Chamber Choir concert at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church

Russell Community Choir

The 2022 Russell Community Choir practicing under the direction of Alex Underwood

Here Be Sirens

Directed by Sasha Hildebrand and Patrick Murray, with Aani Bourassa, Janie Brokenicky, and Jorie Moss at the Deines Cultural Center

Matthew Passion

Our star-studded St. Matthew choruses, conducted by Alex Underwood

Our Trudy

An opera commissioned by the festival to celebrate Russell’s sesquicentennial in 2021

Handel's Messiah

Musicians rehearsing one of the oratorio’s arias in 2022

About

Est. 2014 in Russell, Kansas

Ad Astra Music Festival, founded by Russell native Alex Underwood, colors central Kansas with classical music by integrating emerging young artists, community members, and professional musicians. Audiences have come to expect fresh, new music alongside vibrant performances of history’s richest musical works of art. From opera and chamber music performances the Deines Cultural Center, to sunset services at the picturesque Basilica of St. Fidelis, to live jazz at Granny Mae’s barn, each season offers concerts for every Kansan to enjoy. Ad Astra prides itself on programming new music from a diverse set of composers, including commissions from 2018 Pulitzer Prize Finalist Michael Gilbertson and Moira Smiley, Matthew Aucoin, Mary Kouyoumdjian, and Kate Soper. We’re dedicated to making this festival of and for the people of Russell as we annually collaborate with local visual artists, poets, and musicians to design meaningful creative experiences.