Lauren

The St. Thomas community has done it again! Your RSVP responses to join in the 20th celebration of Gar’s service have “pushed us into the Big Top.” We are rescheduling the celebration to June 11 so that we can fit you all in to our big spaces for dinner and a fun celebration. We will have the fantastic barbecue dinner at 6:00 with a program to follow at 7:00. Dinner includes pulled pork, buns, potato salad, kale pasta salad, baked beans (vegetarian), fresh fruit, and cake. Please (re-)RSVP for the new date if you can join us!

Click here to RSVP.

Musical Selections from Les Miserables at the 8:45 a.m. service.

Saturday, May 9, 7 p.m., at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 12251 Antioch Rd, Overland Park

Connor Anderson is a highly accomplished fifth-year student at the University of Kansas, on track to graduate in May 2026 with dual degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in French Horn Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. This unique academic combination reflects his passion for both the arts and technology.

In the realm of music, Connor studies horn under the tutelage of Dr. Kelly Misko, where he has honed his skills to become a versatile performer, comfortable and proficient across a wide spectrum of musical genres and settings. His distinguished performance history includes a featured solo with the KU Wind Ensemble in 2023, where he presented demanding selections from Robert Schumann’s Konzertstück for Four Horns and Orchestra, showcasing his technical mastery and musicality. Furthermore, his exceptional talent has been recognized by the KU School of Music’s rigorous competition process, as evidenced by his selection as a finalist in the highly competitive KU Concerto Competition in both 2022 and 2024.

Demonstrating a commitment to the broader horn community, Connor has actively represented the University of Kansas at regional conferences, participating in both the 2024 Mid-South Horn Conference and the 2025 Mid-North Horn Conference. His dedication to academic and performance excellence was further highlighted in April 2025, when he was selected to perform in the prestigious Undergraduate Honors Recital.

As an active and engaged musician, Connor possesses a strong passion for chamber music. For four years, he was an integral member of a dedicated woodwind quintet, which allowed him to develop crucial ensemble skills and engage with the local community through various performances. He has sought continuous growth by participating in numerous masterclasses led by distinguished and internationally recognized guest artists. Beyond the concert hall, Connor has been a dedicated and foundational member of the KU Marching Jayhawks and the Basketball Travel Bands for five years, serving as a dedicated section leader for three of those years and demonstrating significant leadership and commitment to the university’s spirit program.

Upon the completion of his degrees, Connor plans to seamlessly transition his technical expertise into his professional career, beginning as a software engineer with the national infrastructure solutions firm HNTB. While embarking on this new technological path, he intends to maintain his deep connection to music by continuing to play, perform, and teach the French horn.

Concert will also be streamed on youtube and facebook:  www.youtube.com/c/stthomasop & www.facebook.com/stthomasop

Freewill donations accepted to support the St. Thomas Music Program.  https://stthomasop.breezechms.com/form/musicfund

https://stthomasop.org/15839-2/