Karyn Schafer
Horn
Has played with the Salina Symphony since:
2012
Hometown: Manhattan, KS
Current City: Junction City, KS
Education:
BA in Music Performance from Cameron University in Lawton, OK
Working on MM at Kansas State University
Job Title:
Band Director, Junction City Middle School
Earliest musical memory:
My earliest musical memory comes from the movie “Follow That Bird.” In the movie, Big Bird is bird-napped and ends up lost in a field and sings the song “One Little Star” and then the camera pans down to all his friends singing the song in wonderful harmony as they are all looking up at the same star.
Best part of being a Salina Symphony musician:
The best part of playing in Salina Symphony is the opportunity we have to play with fellow music educators. It’s great to get together and bounce off ideas with other teachers you normally don’t get to see outside of state competitions.
Most memorable performance with the Salina Symphony:
I’ve had lots of fun at all our performances, but for me personally, the most memorable performance has to be the show we did with Cirque du Soleil. It’s pretty hard to beat three dirt bikes spinning around in a cage of death.
Favorite composer:
Wagner
What song best describes you when you first wake up in the morning?
“The Bare Necessities” from Disney’s Jungle Book movie. It always puts me in a great mood.
What is on your iPod?
The Civil Wars, Peggy Lee, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bill Withers, Eva Cassidy, Astrud Gilberto, Mendelssohn, Steppenwolf, Mozart, Jackson 5, Zee Avi, Coolio, The Gabe Dixon Band, Michael Franti, Beethoven, James Brown, Wagner, and a whole lot more! Too many to mention, that’s for sure!
How do you spend your free time?
In the evenings I am usually at a rehearsal or a gig. I play guitar and ukulele and sing at local clubs and restaurants. I also play for a woodwind quintet out of Manhattan.
Whom do you admire?
My sister, Sharyn and Matthieu Ricard
What is your greatest accomplishment?
I think my greatest accomplishment is overcoming my stage fright.