Randall Frye

I always knew I wanted to do music, but choosing to study voice instead of piano was unexpected. I had way more fun singing than I did just playing piano.

• Band
• Choir
• Orchestra
• Musical Theater
• Opera
• Delta Omicron
• Religious Studies Department

I scoured websites and found this job posting on the KCDA webpage. I contacted the head of the choral program directly and talked about the job, ramifications and responsibilities.

I teach 9-12 chorus. We have 6 choirs at LHS, and I work with all of them either as the director or accompanist.

I love working with students who are excited to learn about music. Lawrence is a very strong supporting community for the arts and that is evident in the programs throughout the school district. I enjoy working with my colleagues and administrators as well.

The most challenging aspects of this job is schedule balancing and classroom control of class sizes 40+.

I would recommend getting up in front of groups and lecture, teach or perform to help one get used to being in front of ensembles this size. Confidence goes along way too!

I was fortunate to have amazing instructors along the path of my life molding me into a musician and future educator.

I never thought I would end up living in Kansas full time. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, so Kansas was a pretty drastic turn in my life, and I couldn’t be happier.

Studying with as many faculty as possible and also taking coursework outside of my field of expertise!

Do as much as you can without overstretching yourself. Join a step team, sing in a choir, pull out your viola from eighth grade and join a community group. Just get out and live life. There are myriad opportunities out there, one just needs to find them.

Julie Yu and Reginald Pittman, both music faculty at K-State, shaped me both as a musician and as a person. These two people are some of the best musicians I’ve ever met and definitely two of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Because of their passion, love and desire for music and teaching, I was able to become more passionate about music, and also found models on how to be an incredible person with integrity.

Most administrative things aren’t covered because they vary so much depending on where one works. Administratively I feel the most behind, but I am in a position that allows for constant improvement, self/peer reflection and tutelage from my mentor to help me in this aspect.

Yes! I use these resources all the time. Whether I use them for research questions, performance evaluations or just in comparison between the programs I’m active and the programs they’re active in, I constantly use my classmates as a resource.