News : Farmers Savings Bank to bring singer Simon Estes to Vinton

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.

Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Vinton will sponsor the Simon Estes performance in Benton County on October 28, and 30, 2010.

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 Vinton.

He will share his story with area high school students at an assembly on Thursday afternoon, October 28, 2010 in the Vinton-Shellsburg High School gym.

He will perform at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School Auditorium.

The concert will feature works from Broadway and opera, spirituals and inspirational music, as well as Benton county high school choral groups. For the closing piece, the choral group will also join Estes in singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic arranged by Peter J. Wilhousky.

Estes has performed with major opera companies and orchestras around the world. He has sung for U.S. presidents, heads of state and international dignitaries.

Estes holds teaching positions at Boston University, Iowa State University and Wartburg College. He and his wife, Ovida, reside in Waverly.