DES MOINES – An opera legend sang to the Iowa legislature this morning.
According to a news release from the Iowa Senate, opera great and Centerville native Simon Estes sang “God Bless America” as the opening prayer at the Iowa House and Senate on Wednesday, January 29. He was accompanied to the Iowa Senate by House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake (left) and State Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City (right).
Estes, a professor at Iowa State University and Wartburg College, has sung at most of the world’s major opera houses, for presidents, popes and other world leaders. He was one of more than 60 fine arts teachers and business leaders who came to the State Capitol to advocate incorporating Fine Arts in the Iowa Core Curriculum and to advance quality arts education programs. The advocates believe arts education can help foster the creative workers, thinkers and leaders needed for strong economic growth.