Echoing across the vast lawn of the beautiful Durham Bandshell on Thursday night was a display of talent that is truly one in a million. On a warm, bug-free night meant for such occasions, two displays of musical artistry were showcased to a crowd of hundreds. A small, historic corner of Ames bore witness to the enormous gift that was the Ames Municipal Band’s music, along with a very special guest performance by none other than Simon Estes.

Dr. Simon Estes is a world-renowned opera star who is proud to call Iowa his home. He has performed at every major opera house in the world. Additionally, Estes has sung for six United States presidents, including Barack Obama. Even many great kings and queens of the world have been graced by the low-bass baritone voice of the 74 year-old. Big names like Whitney Houston and Ray Charles have sung alongside Dr. Estes as well.

When Estes grew up in Centerville, IA as a grandson to a former slave, racism was no stranger to his family. Estes’s parents and four siblings were deeply involved with their local Baptist church, where his first musical happenings were being developed.

The church didn’t have everything to do with his growth of talent, however. “My talent came through God and through my mother and sisters. Their voices were even grander than mine, I think. My family always had an old, beat-up piano that we used to play classical music on. I was introduced to music at a very young age, and it’s been so important to me ever since,” Estes said.

When he enrolled at the University of Iowa in 1957 for Pre-Med, Estes met a man who changed his life forever. “I had never seen or heard of an opera before in my life. When I met Professor Charles Kellis [a voice teacher at the time] at the U of I, he loaned me some opera recordings to listen to. I really liked them, and we ended up doing voice lessons together,” Estes said.

A promise was made to Kellis that if Estes ever had a career, he would repay the Kellis for his kindness, to which the instructor responded, “It’s not if. It’s when,” Estes said. “That man had a major impact on my life and I would not be where I am without him.”

Estes’s career catapulted to success when he traveled to Europe in the 60s to avoid the racial issues plaguing the United States at the time. 1965 was a groundbreaking year for the man when his professional opera debut occurred as he played Ramfis in Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, which was met with raving fans of the performance. A competition win in Moscow the following year led to a special White House performance in 1966 for President Lyndon Johnson, which got Estes on many major theaters’ radar.

Over the next few decades, performances in Europe and America had the man with the booming voice singing in 89 opera houses around the world and with 113 orchestras. With generous humanitarian acts like establishing his Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Estes has helped donate over 1 million dollars in scholarships to aspiring musicians.

Dr. Estes is currently a professor of Music at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA and is a Distinguished Artist in Residence at Iowa State University in Ames. When he and his wife are not at home in Switzerland, they reside in Waverly while he teaches.

“It feels so wonderful to still travel the world and help support children and families. I will continue singing and helping others as long as God lets me. I’m honored by having the gifts of loving, sharing and caring, and I’m so grateful to be back in beautiful Iowa,” Estes said.

The Ames Municipal Band performed many popular songs such as the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From my Friends” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”. Solos such as James Bovinette on trumpet also graced the stage to bring a variety of fine music to the show. After receiving an honorary City of Ames new logo T-Shirt from Mayor Anne Campbell, Dr. Estes performed hits such as “Ol’ Man River” and “God Bless America”, among others.

Crowd cheers and dog howls resonated over the lawn at the conclusion of each performance, signifying the talent of those on stage. Treats like popcorn and cookies were available to all who attended, along with water and fruit drinks.

With an emphasis on the power of local talent, Thursday night saw an incredible display of musical ability that will be talked about for years to come.