WKSA in the News

Strings & Things

By STACIE SANDALL
Hays Daily News

Among the melodic sounds purring out of Malloy Hall at Fort Hays State University each Saturday morning are the sounds of laughter.

Western Kansas Strings Academy (WKSA), a community outreach program of the FHSU Music Department, is giving kindergarten through adult musicians the opportunity to push their musical education forward in a fun, learning atmosphere.

“It is intense music education for kids, but we try to keep it fun as well as educational,” said Cathy Drabkin, WKSA's assistant director.

Music enthusiasts from Ellis, Russell, Hoisington, Great Bend, Lucas, Alexander, Natoma and other towns that don't have an orchestra program in their school or community gather each week on campus to gain experience.

“With the balance of fun, academics and hands-on instruction, any aspiring student at any level can find a place here,” said Matt Means, director of the strings academy.

Means has a bachelor of music degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and master's and professional studies degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

He is currently the upper strings professor at FHSU, the principal second violinist with the Fresno Philharmonic and a violin instructor at Northern Colorado University.

He performs with many orchestras, master classes, recitals and orchestras throughout the country.

Dan Delisi, associate professor of music at FHSU, serves as the other conductor for the group.

WKSA began around seven months ago because of the lack of orchestra programs in this part of the state.

At the time, there were no orchestra programs in Kansas to the west of Salina and students who wanted to play stringed instruments had no place to shine.

Parents, students, teachers and FHSU faculty showed an interest in beginning a program. By August, they were ready to launch.

“It is a very comprehensive program,” Means said. “We try not to leave anything untouched. It's been an exciting and worthwhile program,” Means said.

The program's enrollment includes a student as young as 5 years old. They also have two adults in the program, a beginner violinist and an experienced cellist.

Five university undergraduate students participate in the program in hopes of becoming music teachers at some point down the road.

“We want to train FHSU students and better prepare them to go out and become music educators,” said Drabkin. “Nationally, there is an absence of string teachers.”

One Ellis Middle School student aspires to assume those duties when completing her education.

Breanna Ellison is 13 years old and plays four instruments: piano, French horn, violin and viola. She learned about the program through her interaction with FHSU and decided to join up.

Wanting balance in her musical experience, she decided to learn an instrument from each section. Ellison began playing viola only a year ago because she enjoys its mellow sound, and is already in the advanced orchestra.

At the academy, students can participate in orchestra, chamber ensembles, private lessons or classes in music theory, history and appreciation.

WKSA offers private lessons with an academy instructor, auditions for orchestra placement, orchestral and chamber ensemble performances, music theory and history classes, educational juries for advancement, musical and social activities, additional performance opportunities and a WKSA T-shirt.

The inaugural concert will be performed at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 in Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.

Reporter Stacie Sandall can be reached at (785) 628-1081, ext. 136, or by e-mail at

ssandall@dailynews.net.