The Topeka Symphony Orchestra has provided inspirational music and cherished memories for nearly three-quarters of a century.
On Saturday, Feb. 15 Topeka Symphony Orchestra performed ‘Stormy Weather’ inside White Concert Hall around 7:30 p.m. where Kyle Wiley-Pickett, music director and conductor, conducted the group with Zsolt Eder, a Hungarian violinist. More than 500 spectators were present inside the hall.
The concert started with the announcement of several upcoming events and opportunities by the Executive Director of Concerts, Kevin Burton. He highlighted the wonderful intersection of music and visual art by DeAna Morrison from Amused in NOTO.
The Topeka Symphony was formed in 1945 by Washburn University music professor, Everett Fetter. It was initially known as Topeka Civic Orchestra and consisted of around 60 Washburn University and Topeka High students. Concerts were frequently performed at MacVicar Chapel on the Washburn campus and at Topeka High. It officially became the To
peka Symphony Orchestra in 1980.
Ryan Masotto (‘18), viola player, shared his journey in the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and emphasized the orchestra’s outreach efforts.
“I’ve been a member for three years and it’s a great community orchestra,” Masotto said. “I guess we’re considered professional level and it’s really nice to have a large, full-scale symphony in a smaller community like Topeka to spread. And I love watching people’s faces. When people come and say, ‘It was a great job, we really enjoyed it,’ that means a lot.”
Each year, the Topeka Symphony provides scholarship funds for music students at Washburn University. They offer an opportunity for talented young musicians to audition for a chance to play with them in concert. The auditions for the 2024-25 season’s Young Artist Competition were held on Nov. 3, 2024.
Devon Larson, freshman sociology major, attended the conc
ert and shared his experience and his favorite piece.
“This is my second time seeing this orchestra,” Larson said. “I enjoyed the concert, I like the middle piece ‘Langsam.’”
Over the years, the orchestra has transformed from a community orchestra into a premier professional orchestra attracting musicians from across the region. As the size, talent and confidence of the symphony have grown over the years, the range of performances has expanded to include several world and national premiers. The TSO has also performed with internationally famous musicians such as Itzhak Perlman and Jon Nakamatsu.
Kristoffer Nagy, member of the orchestra and bass player, shared his experiences in the group and reasons for joining the group, and the connection he has with audiences.
“Just my love for music is general, I’ve been playing for almost 30 years,” Nagy said. “The members and the musicians in the group were able to come together and do something beautiful. When we start playing music, we get in the zone, we want to make something, and we want audiences to come and enjoy every aspect of it. You feel motivated to do your best and hav
ing that connection with them every time you’re on the stage is very rewarding as a musician.”
Megan Baker, junior music education and performance major, expressed a positive experience with the concert.
“I think it’s been really good and I’m really enjoying it. I really like the first piece, ‘This Kiss for the Whole World,’” Baker said.
Kai Dimuzio, first-year master’s student in bass performance at UMKC, performed in the concert and shared about the instrument he played.
“Well, in middle school, I wanted to be in a jazz band and I used to play guitar at the time a little bit and decided to pick up electric bass, which looked like a guitar,” Dimuzio said. “Eventually, in high school, I switched to bass because it was more for jazz. It has a string instrument that provides a low texture of sound to the performance.”
Carolyn Sandquist, retired member of the orchestra, attended the concert and expressed her opinion on the variety of pieces.
“I was a part of an orchestra for over 30 years and I love it,” Sandquist said. “I’m anxious to hear ‘Sibelius’ but the first piece was great and had a lot of fun.”
Edited by Morgan Albrecht and Stuti Khadka
