Spotlight: K-State Orchestra Alumni
We have always believed in music as a life-long avocation for students at K-State, no matter the major. Here are three alums showing how music has remained an important part of their lives post-K-State.
Cody Toll - KSU, Music Education, 2010
violin
violin
(Cody string teaches strings in the Manhattan School district, and is the conductor of the Gold Orchestra. He plays in the Salina Symphony and in the eclectic group Everyday Lights, heard below.)
"As a young musician, I attended String Fling at KSU in 6th-8th grades. The exciting weekend of growth inspired me and charged my passion for making music. As a music major at KSU, I benefitted from the scholarship funds raised by the event. Alongside the KSU string faculty and my fellow orchestra members, I got a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make the event happen. So many talented and hardworking people come together to touch the lives of young string students in Kansas: KSU students and staff who facilitate the event, guest conductors who share their expertise and experience, directors from all across the state who bring their students, and the students themselves, who put in long hours of rehearsal and present a concert. Since my graduation, I have had the honor of returning numerous times as a guest conductor for String Fling. I always leave inspired by the tenacity and resilience of the upcoming generation of string players, and I always share with them that I was once in their shoes and challenge them to continue pursuing music passionately. String Fling has great value in the lives of all who are served by it, and also by those who work to make it happen. I have been fortunate to be connected to it in multiple capacities, and I hope to see it continue its good work in the future."
"As a young musician, I attended String Fling at KSU in 6th-8th grades. The exciting weekend of growth inspired me and charged my passion for making music. As a music major at KSU, I benefitted from the scholarship funds raised by the event. Alongside the KSU string faculty and my fellow orchestra members, I got a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make the event happen. So many talented and hardworking people come together to touch the lives of young string students in Kansas: KSU students and staff who facilitate the event, guest conductors who share their expertise and experience, directors from all across the state who bring their students, and the students themselves, who put in long hours of rehearsal and present a concert. Since my graduation, I have had the honor of returning numerous times as a guest conductor for String Fling. I always leave inspired by the tenacity and resilience of the upcoming generation of string players, and I always share with them that I was once in their shoes and challenge them to continue pursuing music passionately. String Fling has great value in the lives of all who are served by it, and also by those who work to make it happen. I have been fortunate to be connected to it in multiple capacities, and I hope to see it continue its good work in the future."
Miranda Boettcher Grummon – KSU, Business degree, 1999
violin
violin
"Music has always played a big role in my life, as far back as I can remember. My music studies at K-State gave me the experience I needed to make it possible for me to establish my own private teaching studio and get hired for performance gigs. My experience in learning and teaching music also led me to join a Kindermusik studio, to teach music-enriched classes to little ones. In short, I can’t imagine my life without music. While I was a music major for a short time, I ended up graduating from KSU with a business degree and a music minor. However, music continues to play such an important role in my life and my identity that I wish now that I would have not changed my major! However, I am very grateful that I was so involved in the music department during my time at K-State. It will forever be a big part of why I hold such fondness for my college experience."
Tom Peterson - KSU, Computer Science 1997
violin
violin
"Twenty some years later, and I'm still playing the violin. It's been in the case for a month or two from time to time, but it's mostly been a daily joy and challenge. I think I'm still learning, at least! Thanks again for all of the help in getting me started so well down this path. I still occasionally pull out music from those days, including a book of Kreutzer Etudes that's nearly falling apart.
Over the years, I've been in a half dozen community orchestras, sitting everywhere from the back of the seconds to concertmaster. Most proudly, I've been in two performing string quartets. The one Heather [violist in the video] and I have been in for the past few years just finished performing all of Beethoven Opus 18 right before Covid shut everything down. One bucket list item complete."
Over the years, I've been in a half dozen community orchestras, sitting everywhere from the back of the seconds to concertmaster. Most proudly, I've been in two performing string quartets. The one Heather [violist in the video] and I have been in for the past few years just finished performing all of Beethoven Opus 18 right before Covid shut everything down. One bucket list item complete."
Would you like to tell us about your life, musical or otherwise, post-K-State?
Email [email protected]! We'd love to hear from you!