Simon Estes to tour Iowa

World renowned Iowa bass-baritone Simon Estes will bring his “Roots and Wings” concert tour to every county in his home state over the next three years.

He will launch the event March 4 and 5 in Hampton in Franklin County, northwest of Waterloo.

The tour will raise funds for scholarships through the Simon Estes Iowa Educational Foundation and for local projects in Iowa.

Estes, a native of Centerville and graduate of the University of Iowa and the Juilliard School, will incorporate educational elements in his stop at Hampton. He will share his story and steps to success with area high school students at 2:30 p.m. March 4 in the Hampton-Dumont High School gym.

In addition to public and private receptions, Estes will show and discuss his favorite opera performances and take audience questions at 6:30 p.m. March 4 at Hampton's Windsor Theatre.

He will perform at 7 p.m. March 5 at the Church of the Living Word Auditorium in Hampton. The concert will feature works from Broadway and opera, spirituals and inspirational music, as well as local high school and community choral groups.

For ticket details, go to http://simonestes.hamptoniowa.org/ticket.htm

Other spring concert dates include March 12 at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines; May 4 in Pella Christian High School, as part of Pella's annual Tulip Fest; and May 8 in Aplington-Parkersburg High School. Concerts generally will begin at 7 p.m. Estes educational foundation officials say its Web site should be up in the next couple of weeks, with more tour information.

Since making his operatic debut with the Deutsche Opera Berlin in 1965, Estes has performed with major opera companies and leading orchestras around the world. He has sung for U.S. presidents, heads of state and international dignitaries, including Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Estes holds teaching positions at Boston University, Iowa State University and Wartburg College and maintains an active schedule of performances and master classes.

He and his wife, Ovida, reside in Waverly.