Kansas Wesleyan University students are making music under the direction of some new faculty members this semester.
The university recently named James McAllister as chair of the Department of Music and Chris Miertschin, Jr., as director of athletic bands.
James McAllister
McAllister comes to KWU following five years at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn. During that time, he served as the assistant professor of Music and director of bands, including concert band, jazz ensemble and athletic bands. He also served as the chair of the Fine Arts and Media Communication Department and the director of the Music program.
“Dr. McAllister stood out from the beginning of the hiring process,” said Dr. Damon Kraft, KWU provost. “His experience and knowledge of the region will help take KWU’s department of Music to new heights.”
“It's a passion to teach music and train musicians,” McAllister said. “I really consider myself lucky; I knew what I wanted to do at 16. I've always wanted to be a musician. I've always wanted to be a teacher.”
He spent nearly a dozen years at Garden City Community College as the Director of Instrumental Music, from 2003-15.
“From my time in Garden City, I had a large respect for Kansas Wesleyan and its music department,” he said. “It was considered a well-run and well-respected place for musicians. It is somewhere students learn something about the craft they won’t get anywhere else.
“I literally jumped at the chance to join the faculty at Kansas Wesleyan.”
While working in Garden City, McAllister traveled to Lawrence regularly to work on his Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education at the University of Kansas, which he completed in 2012.
McAllister said he was a “band kid” growing up. He began playing the clarinet in the fifth grade and eventually branched out.
“I switched to saxophone because it looked fun to play in a jazz ensemble,” he said.
Upon graduating with his bachelor’s from Shenandoah University in Virginia, McAllister taught middle and high school band in Wilmington, Del., while playing in both Wilmington and Philadelphia.
For McAllister, one alluring aspect of Salina is the variety of performing arts.
“I think the symphony is top-notch,” McAllister said of the Salina Symphony. “I remember hearing them play. The musicians are top-notch. The concerts I attended were really fabulous.”
The Smoky Hill River Festival is another exciting musical outlet, where KWU students will perform Sept. 3 on the Eric Stein Stage.
“The River Festival is important and vibrant,” McAllister said. “I’m ready to embrace and experience it first-hand.”
Kansas Wesleyan has strong community ties, which are essential to the program.
“I know how important arts are to Salina. I'm looking to build partnerships and work collaboratively with local art groups to build better arts programs for not only Salina, but for the region,” McAllister said.
Chris Miertschin, Jr.
Miertschin is a familiar face around Salina. He has played the horn and trombone in the Salina Community Theatre pit orchestra since 2017.
“I know the [athletic band] program is starting pretty small, but the focus first and foremost is building the numbers in the program,” he said. “The longer-term goal, for The Howl especially, is to develop it into an on-the-field band.”
Miertschin will be working with McAllister to nurture the program.
"Jim and I are thinking something different than traditional marching band,” Miertschin said. “This is a chance for us to do something that you can’t find at the other schools in the state that have marching bands. We're trying to think outside the box as we build the program, see what students are interested in and what we can do that will set this program apart.”
For four years, Miertschin was the director of bands/associate professor of music at Hutchinson Community College. During that time, he led the Blue Dragon Pep Band and String Orchestra. He also helped expand the concert experience and hosted off-campus concerts in non-traditional locations, such as the Strataca Salt Mine and Hutchinson Zoo.
He said the shift from a two-year to a four-year institution is exciting.
“You’re constantly worrying about what next year will look like because students are there for only two years,” Miertschin said. “The chance to work with students longer and have more stability with the students in the program is nice.”
Recruitment will also look different.
"Wesleyan focuses on state-wide and regional recruiting, which I think is good for the band program,” he said. “Also, Texas is prime band country. In Texas, band programs are just as serious as sports programs – you pick band or sports.”
Miertschin earned his bachelor’s at Kansas State University in Manhattan and his master’s at the University of Georgia.
"I'm looking forward to the administrative support for the growth of the program,” Miertschin said. “I’m also excited about the chance to work with Jim to build this program from the ground up and trying new things.”
The music schedule begins on KWU’s campus on Sept. 25, with the Honors Choir Festival. The Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Concert will take the stage at Sams Chapel at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 28.
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