Gus Applequist
Gus Applequist is no stranger to music or the Salina Symphony. One of his earliest musical memories is when he attended an introduction to his school’s orchestra program. Susan Higbee, the orchestra director at the time, demonstrated each of the four orchestra instruments. Applequist was initially drawn to the cello, but Higbee encouraged him to consider the bass. “One of her selling points was that bassists can play in just about any genre of music,” he said. “That has proven true for me.”
Applequist has a myriad of other interests in addition to music, including technology and media production, which led him to create a new business venture last year. “Fili Creative is the coalescence of a variety of my interests,” Applequist said.
The “spark” that led Applequist to professionally pursue media production comes from his love for JRR Tolkien’s fantasy epic trilogy, “The Lord of the Rings.” “One of the story’s heroes, Sam, delivers an incredible speech in which he tries to lift the spirits and hope of his friend, Frodo,” he expalined. “To paraphrase his message: ‘In the stories that we hold dear, heroes stand against great evil to defend what is right and good. Darkness does not last. This will pass.’”
Fili focuses on impacting the community by sharing stories. The company has created work for a number of area nonprofit organizations, such as interview-based videos that focus on each organization’s mission and impact in the community. In addition, Fili has worked with the Salina Symphony on a number of projects, including filming concerts for archival purposes, providing projections for concerts, and working closely with staff to create the Salina Symphony Virtual Concert Series.
Fili Creative recording the Woodwind Quintet for the Salina Symphony Virtual Chamber Concert Series
“The Coronavirus has brought us several new clients that need to spread their organizations’ messages in a new socially distanced world,” Applequist said.
Applequist shared that Fili capitalizes on the creativity of its team. Tim Burns, creative director, graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in communications and theatre. Prior to working at Fili, Burns spent several years living in Lawrence, honing his skills in audio/visual production and live theatre. Amber Benning, business director, graduated from KWU with a bachelor’s degree in communications, speech and sociology as well as an MBA. Throughout her time in college, Benning developed a fierce love for media production and management.
Before the pandemic, Fili created a music video for Everyday Lights, a local band Gus and his wife, Hannah, perform in. Fili also produced a full-scale radio drama at the Brown Grand Theater in Concordia.
Applequist has found that balancing his businesses along with his hobbies and social life can be a challenge. “Time is the most valuable resource to me, and I find that I am constantly running out of it,” he said. “There are many things I am passionate about and it is hard for me to narrow down my interests, so everything fits in my schedule. Ultimately, I try to pursue those things that hopefully make the world a better place while saving time for my family and friends.”
One of the aspects of life that Applequist currently misses most during this challenging season is playing with the Salina Symphony. “I miss the magical, spine-tingling moments of exhilaration,” he said. “There is definitely a special feeling when playing music in a large ensemble such as a symphony. I miss that feeling of unity around a single purpose.”
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Written by Gavy Garay
Do you have an idea for a future Symphony Spotlight story? Contact Adrienne Allen at 785-823-8309 or execdir@salinasymphony.org.