LAMONI — Lamoni native Leah McIntire-Barnett, daughter of Dennis and Kathleen McIntire, will be performing with Simon Estes and four area choirs on Sunday afternoon, April 19, at the Shaw Center Auditorium in the “Roots and Wings” concert series. The performance begins with a pre-concert program at 2:15 p.m.
McIntire-Barnett is especially excited about the Lamoni concert for two reasons. It will be her first performance here since her high school graduation.
Also, April 19 will mark the 50th anniversary of Estes’ international opera debut in Germany. She said it is an honor for Decatur County to celebrate with him on this special day. Estes received the Iowa Award in 1996, the highest honor the state can give.
In the following passage, Leah shares her story of her respect for the remarkable man who grew up in Centerville, achieved international fame as a singer and philanthropist, and has never forgotten lessons he learned as a child in Iowa.
“I first met Dr. Estes in the spring of 2011 when I participated in a master class at Grandview University in Des Moines. I was, of course, thrilled to sing for an Iowan who has had a marvelous career in the world of opera, but I was fascinated to listen to him share his experiences of the stage. It was a privilege to sing for him that day, but I didn’t know at the time that it was only the beginning. A few months later, my father-in-law acted (unofficially) as my agent and, to make a long story short, made a connection for me with Dr. Estes’ manager. Dr. Estes then invited me to sing in two “Roots & Wings” concerts in the fall of 2011.
After one of these concerts, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Estes over dinner and talk more about his experiences over the last few decades. I was struck, as many are, with his unbelievable humility. He has had a distinguished operatic career both in the US and abroad, helped pave the way for African Americans in opera in the 1970’s, and has built a remarkable organization to benefit victims of malaria in Africa (not to mention the many thousands of dollars he gives each year to Iowa high school seniors though his foundation).
Dr. Estes continues to make an impression in our state and around the world. What I believe to be most astonishing, however, is his unfailing humility. I asked him how he maintains this, and he said, “It is something that I have to work on every day. Humility does not come naturally; pride comes naturally. Humility I have to work at; I have to study the Bible every day, and God gives me the grace to be humble.
As I’ve had the opportunity to work with Dr. Estes several times, and have seen the consistency between his talk and his walk, he has been an inspiration to me as I continue pursuing my own career.
As I prepare for the upcoming concert in Lamoni, I am reminded that, while I have worked at my craft, it is God who put me into the family and town in which I was raised, and gives me the teachers, mentors, and friends who encourage me to take the opportunities He gives me.
Dr. Estes has given me much advice over the past couple of years, but the best career advice he has given me is to remain humble, and I will forever be grateful to him.”
Performing with Estes and McIntire-Barnett will be the choirs from Lamoni, Central Decatur, and Mormon Trail high schools and from Graceland University.
All tickets will be $5 at the door. They are also sold at all three Lamoni banks, the Farm Bureau office in Leon, or at Snyder’s in Humeston through Thursday, April 16.
On Monday morning following the concert, Estes will share his life story about growing up in Centerville, his career, the challenges he has faced and how he overcame them. He speaks to importance of education, determination, faith and perseverance in a talk to Lamoni, Central Decatur and Mormon Trail students in the Shaw Center auditorium.