By Rich Fisher
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwgs/local-kwgs-898330.mp3
Tulsa, Oklahoma – On this edition of our show, we hear from Simon Estes, the renowned bass-baritone who had his professional debut in Berlin in 1965. Since then, Estes has performed and recorded with leading opera companies, symphony orchestras, and outstanding soloists all over the globe --- but he's also well known for the various scholarship and education-driven organizations that bear his name. Indeed, the Tulsa-based Simon Estes Educational Foundation (or SEEF) is the most broad-based of these nonprofits, and it recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. A passionate teacher as well as a legendary singer, Mr. Estes will present a benefit concert called "Simon Estes and Friends" tomorrow night (Tuesday the 27th) at the Tulsa PAC (with all proceeds going to SEEF). Also scheduled to appear at this concert are the fine mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves and the Wartburg College Choir. (For more information, including ticket details, call 918-596-7111. Or go online to seef.org.) Also on today's StudioTulsa, we have commentaries from Mark Darrah and Barry Friedman. Mark tells us that the best place to take in the newly emergent Springtime is, in fact, Western Oklahoma, while Barry is simply hoping --- perhaps in vain, he admits --- that the Sooner State will "become a place that the football team can be proud of."