Recital to celebrate recovery
Staff writer
Former Hillsboro High School music instructor Gregg Walker has something to celebrate, and he’s celebrating with a recital at McPherson College and another at Washburn University.
“In 2005, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis,” Walker said.
By 2014, he could no longer hold his instrument to play.
“I wanted to play again. I went to a surgeon, who told me to see a physical therapist.”
After much therapy, Walker, who now teaches at McPherson College, regained the ability to play his instrument. He now can play it well enough to put on a recital such as the ones planned.
The recitals are a celebration of being able to play again.
Walker chose Washburn because it is where he began undergraduate studies.
When he completed his degree, he went on to teach music at three large high schools in Texas.
He then returned to Kansas because his mother had cancer.
Back in Kansas he taught at small schools, including Hillsboro, Rossville, Maize, and Inman.
The recitals will be 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at McPherson College’s Brown Auditorium and 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at Washburn University’s White Concert Hall.
No admission will be charged.
Performing at McPherson will be Greg Weis on trumpet, Randy Crow on trombone, Mark Masur on piano, Olivia Masey on upright bass, Tom Morgan on drums, Carey Hoffman on pipe organ, Meghan Monroe on alto saxophone, and Brett Janssen as accompanist.
At Washburn will be Marion High School graduate Mike Steinel on trumpet, Mark Mazur on piano, Olivia Massey on upright bass, Tom Morgan on drums, Carey Hoffman on pipe organ, Meghan Monroe on alto saxophone, and Brett Janssen as accompanist.
Pieces to be performed include Mozart “Flute Concerto in G,” Brahms “Clarinet Sonata No. 2,” Creston “Concerto for Alto Sax,” Descenclos “Prelude, Cadence et Cadence et Finale,” “Legitimate Conversation with the Blues,” “Windmills of Your Mind,” “Now’s the Time,” “Yardbird Suite,” “Seven Steps to Heaven,” and “Blue ’n Boogie.’
More information is available at gbwmusic@gmail.com.