TO OUR EARS

Craig Treinen, who receivedtwo bachelor of music degreesfrom Washburn in 1990 and is anassistant professor at his almamater, was so surprised aboutbeing inducted into the KansasMusic Hall of Fame that hecalled to confirm the honor.SOUNDS OF SUCCESSAlumnus, professor inducted into Kansas Music Hall of FameBy Ernie W. Webb III • ernie.webb@washburn.eduCraig Treinen was shocked when he received a textnotifying him that he was going to be inductedinto the Kansas Music Hall of Fame. So shockedthat he called a member of the nominating committeeafter sleeping on it.“I couldn’t believe it. When I got the text, I calledand asked if they wanted me to perform at a dinner orreception, and was told, ‘You’re being inducted,’” saidTreinen, who was inducted on March 7. “When we gothome, I paced the house all night. The next morning, Icalled to make sure it was true.”Though the honor was a surprise to Treinen, it wasn'tto the local jazz community. The Washburn alumnuscontinues to build on a career that includes an eight-yearstint in the Air Force’s Heartland of America Band andhis current role as director of jazz studies and assistantprofessor of music at his alma mater.Treinen is a renowned alto saxophonist who has playedwith artists such as Crystal Gayle and the late JohnDenver, among many others.“I've never been big on awards,” Treinen said. “I caremore about what my students are doing and how they'reperforming. But this honor really means a lot to me. It’snice to be recognized for what I've done for the stateand around the country, as well as the work I've put intobecoming a good educator. It also meant a lot to have myfamily at the ceremony because they’re a big part of it.”Treinen began playing his father's alto sax in thefourth grade and was hooked. He continued to play ingrade school, middle school and high school, honing hisskills under the tutelage of Gary Stroud, his music teacherat Seaman High School in Topeka.After a semester at the University of Kansas, Treinentransferred to Washburn in 1983, earning bachelor of musicdegrees in education and saxophone performance in 1990.“Washburn was great for me. It was the right size, andI had great relationships with my professors, including KenTicknor and Chuck Tumlinson,” Treinen said.Treinen added that his time as a Washburn studentcontinues to have an impact on his experience as a professor.“I love the faculty here, and I love the students. Thesekids have so much character, they’re easy to work withand they work hard,” he said. “It's very similar to what Ienjoyed as a student, those close relationships with yourprofessor. I think that's extremely important to have.”ABOUT CRAIG TREINENHometown: TopekaEducation: Bachelor of music in music education andsaxophone performance from Washburn, master ofmusic education and doctor of philosophy in curriculumand instruction from Kansas State UniversityFamily: Wife Ann (Falley) Treinen, aa ’86, sons TylerTreinen and Sawyer TreinenFavorite musicians: Saxophonists Phil Woods andCannonball AdderleyFavorite piece to play: “Stella by Starlight”Campus News 20