DR. FRANK TRACZ is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Kansas State University. He earned his B.M.E. from The Ohio State University, the M.M. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Ph.D. from the Ohio State University. He has public school teaching experience in Wisconsin and Ohio and has also served as Assistant Director of bands at Syracuse University and Director of bands at Morehead State University. Dr. Tracz has served as an adjudicator, clinician, speaker in various schools and conferences and has conducted All-State and Honor bands across the United States as well as in Canada, Singapore, South Africa, Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand.
At Kansas State he directs the Wind Ensemble and the Marching Band, teaches graduate and undergraduate conducting, advisor the Band Ambassadors, and administers and guides all aspects of a large BIG XII comprehensive band program. Ensembles under his direction have been invited to perform at numerous State conferences, MENC, two CBDNA regional conferences, The Larry Sutherland Wind band Festival at Fresno State, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center. The marching band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy in 2015. The Wind Ensemble also performed at the International Convention of the American Bandmasters Association in 2019 in Loveland, CO.
Dr. Tracz is on the faculty of the Conn-Selmer Institute, adjunct faculty of the American Band College, past member of the Music Education Journal Editorial Board, contributor to the Teaching Music Through performance In Band series, and was recently appointed Chair of the Sudler Trophy Project of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. His honors include the Stamey Award for outstanding teaching, Kansas Bandmasters Outstanding Director award, Wildcat Pride Alumni Association award, the Tau Beta Sigma Paula Crider Outstanding Band Director award, named a Lowell Mason Fellow, and Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Fraternity. He has also received the Conn- Selmer Institute Hall of Fame award, the Kansas State Professorial Performance award, and was elected to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.
He has also directly or indirectly raised over 5 million dollars for the construction of the West Stadium Band Hall.
Dr. Tracz is married to Geralyn, and has three daughters, Jessica Tracz Kelly, Kelley Tracz, and Carly Tracz Morris, and one grandson, Caden Tracz Kelly!
There will be a Wine Dinner Committee meeting immediately following our club
meeting today.
Rotary Flashback...
July 7, 2020 marked our club's first Zoom meeting with a few Sunrise Rotarians joining us. We were originally scheduled to have a Club Industry Tour at the new Advanced Learning Library, but due to COVID-19, we transitioned to a virtual format instead. Cynthia Berner, Wichita Director of Libraries, joined us via Zoom to discuss the key challenges faced by the Wichita Public Library system during the pandemic. Our Club Presidents during that time were Vern Klassen (2019-20) & Colin McKenney (2020-21).
Last week's meeting...
We had a full room to hear our speaker, K-State Athletic Director,
Gene Taylor--along with lots of purple!
As is her tradition this time of year, Sharon West added a touch of festivity to the meeting by providing members with Mardi Gras beads to wear.
Paige Koeppen, Satellite Club Chair, reported that their group supported Paxton's Blessing Box in front of Lawrence Elementary at their meeting. She noted that it is such a needed resource for the neighborhood.
CLUB INFORMATION
GUESTS
Marty Ehret & Charles Bruce
Guests of Gregg Greenwood
Todd Reasoner & Vickie Fisher
Guests of Marv Fisher
CLUB MEETING
Attendance: 66%
Membership: 79(59 RCWW + 20 Satellite)
Last year:
Attendance: RHCC closed due to bad weather
Membership: 74 (58 RCWW + 16 Satellite)
HAPPY BASKET: $54.00
HOLIDAY RAFFLE:Randy Bowles drew a Queen to win $15. This week, if an Ace is drawn, the pot will be worth $18 plus half of the meeting ticket sales. Proceeds from the raffle are used to fund our Monthly & Holiday Grocery project so thank you for supporting this effort!
Don't forget to email Diane with your nomination of a fellow member for our club's SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD
(Past recipients are not eligible)
Deadline to nominate: March 4th
SIGN UP TO BE A FIRESIDE HOST ON APRIL 14!
This is a great opportunity to showcase your place of business and enjoy lunch with a small group of your fellow Rotarians! If you are willing to host a group of 6-10, please let Diane know or sign up at the meeting.
SAVE THE DATE