Dana and Les Mengel performing at Chaz on the Plaza
Dana Mengel to receive award from Jackson County Historical Society
Dana Mengel has been selected to receive an award from the Jackson County Historical Society for his musical compositions on historical topics.
The award will be presented at the JCHS Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet which will be held Jan. 23 at the Midwest Genealogy Center (3440 S. Lee's Summit Road, Independence, MO).
Dana’s work includes compositions inspired by the painting of George Caleb Bingham which resulted in a CD Inspired by Bingham. The music was also featured in a documentary film about the Missouri artist.
The award specific cites Dana’s most recent project The Oregon Trail Suite - portions which were premiered at a JCHS event at the National Frontier Trails Museum.
Dana Mengel facing surgery for cancer; help needed
Dana Mengel is undergoing surgery for cancer the end of August, 2019 and is facing costs he and his family lack the funds to pay.
A substantial amount of the hospital and surgery costs will not be covered by insurance and Dana will also lose several weeks of performances while he recovers. Donations are needed to help with hospital and surgical costs.
Friends have set up a GoFund Me page.
Thanks for caring and helping Dana and his family in this time of need.
The only thing missing ....
This is a recent letter from Jody Miller who lives in Heber Springs, AR.
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Dear Dana.
Listening to your Oregon Trail Suite fills my heart with happiness and pure joy!
You have, with your music, captured feelings of the land, as well as spirits and trials of the emigrants on this long and arduous journey. What a beautiful living tribute to their strength and courage. I hear it everywhere in this (your) music.
The only thing missing are the other 14 movements which I sincerely hope will be forthcoming in the near future.
I am proud and humbled to know you and am grateful you share your musical talents with others.
Looking forward to our next KC visit.
Sounds from the Oregon Trail: A Benefit for the Independence Pioneer Spring Cabin
This is a benefit concert to start community fundraising efforts to preserve the Independence Pioneer Spring Cabin located at Truman and Noland Road.
Composer and musician Dana Mengel will share selections from The Oregon Trail Suites for Strings and Percussion performed by a five-piece ensemble of talented local musicians.
Guests will hear Mengel's original compositions as he follows the early pioneers from Wayne City Landing across the vast prairie to Oregon City.
Mengel also has composed a special musical selection inspired by the log cabin which will be performed that evening.
Oregon Trail Suite Played on Hawaii Public Radio
Selections from Dana Mengel's Oregon Trail Suite - which Jackson County Historical Society premiered in May - were aired on Hawaii Public Radio in a show featuring music by American composers and places.
The pieces were highlighted by Julie Anderson on her show Evening Concert. Anderson was in the audience at the National Frontier Trails Museum when seven selections for Mengel's original composition were performed.