Jane Thompson Olson, Music Memories with my Dad

,Jane Thompson, 1960

I count myself lucky to have been the daughter of Mr. T or Kenny Thompson or Mr. Thompson!! Dad grew up just north of Wichita on a farm that later became Thompson Turkey Farm. He attended K-State where he played trombone and majored in music. His Master’s degree was from Wichita State. He took classes for his Master’s every summer and at night.  I remember one summer when he was taking cello, oboe and flute lessons all at the same time to earn that degree. He started teaching music at Allison Intermediate before he began teaching at East in the 1950’s. 

There is a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into being in charge of instrumental music at a school as big as East, and my siblings and I were a part of it. Originally the band and orchestra room was in the 500 building up on second floor, where vocal department was when our class was at East. During the hot summer we would help sort music (an unending job) and organize band uniforms for checkout. Our pay was lunch across the street at Ralph Baum’s and sometimes ice cream at Armstrong’s.

Dad would spend many hours creating formations for the band half-time shows. Then there was music to listen to and choose for the orchestra and band. He spent a lot of time with staff in the Guidance Center to make sure that potential students were enrolled in  band and/or orchestra. Also there were tryouts for pep band and twirlers and drum major for the marching band. Dad spent lots of time scheduling: concerts for both band and orchestra, football and basketball home and away games for band members, combined concerts and assemblies with the choral and/or drama department to name a few.  Remember the infamous “Razzle Dazzle Drizzle Drip” or “The Blue and White Forever” or “Stand Up and Cheer” ?

Ken Thompson and East High’s Concert Band

When I was in junior high I went on many of those away band trips on big Continental buses. I also went with him to Emporia in the spring to the music contests. Soloists or trios, quartets, and other ensemble would play a piece in front of a judge that would rate them. A “1” was the rating everyone wanted. Later I played in a string quartet that competed. I believe we didn’t quite get that coveted “1”. 

I never realized how fortunate those of us who played in band or orchestra, sang in choral groups or participated in drama were. East High had incredible musicians, vocalists, and actors/actresses and great teachers/conductors. These groups played all the well-known symphonies and music that we hear played by major orchestras and bands , sang well-known choral pieces, and performed many well-known plays and musicals. 

Ken Thompson and the East High Orchestra

One great memory is when Judy Pease Burris played “Rhapsody in Blue” with our orchestra accompanying her. Judy was one of the many very talented musicians from our 1960 class. I also loved playing in the “pit orchestra” for musicals and the Messiah performance. I don’t believe that any of us really appreciated all the music we played while at East. Whenever I listen to classical music or go to a concert, I almost always think to myself, “We played that at East.” When my husband and I were in NYC and went to see Les Miserables, I was so excited to see that David Gale (star trumpet player from the class of ’60) was in the pit band. I immediately jumped up from my seat and raced down to say “Hi.” 

During the three years I played in the orchestra at East, we always received top marks at the music contests held annually and we were awarded Kansas High School Orchestra of the Year. Because of this honor we made multiple trips to smaller towns to perform a concert for students and townspeople and were invited to University of Kansas to perform. 

Dad also was a church choir director, played in the summer band concerts at Riverside Park on Sunday evenings, played in many bands that were at the circus, dances, and other events. He finished his career in Wichita public schools as administrator of instrumental music. After retirement Dad was often asked to judge at music contests, be a guest conductor or offer advice.

Last year I went to a Rotary meeting with my husband because a choral group from Maine East, one of the large local high schools, was performing. The vice-principal was with the group. Before the performance, I was talking to him about music programs in the high school and mentioned that I went to a large high school like the one he was with. He asked me where I went and I casually said Wichita, Kansas. Next question was which high school. He became more interested when I told him it was East and he told me that he taught at East also. Of course, I said, “Well, you might have known my Dad. He was the band and orchestra director.” At this point he excitedly said, “Kenny Thompson?”  He then told me that he was so grateful for Dad and all that he had learned from him.  Small world for sure.  As he was leaving with the group, he turned to me and told me that I had made his day!!! Made my day also as I was so proud of being Kenny Thompson’s daughter.