Name: Kathryn Mosiman Murray
Major at ISU: Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Graduation Year: 2012
Hometown: Ames, IA
Current Residence: Waukee, IA
What were you involved in during your time at ISU:
I took part in Iowa State Singers, Cantamus, Count Me In, Esprit de Corp, Opera Studio, Cyclone Aide, Homecoming Central Committee, Stars Over VEISHEA, and Phi Beta Chi sorority.
What do you currently do for a living:
I am the Associate Vocal Music Director at Waukee Northwest High School in Waukee, IA.
Can you share a particularly interesting or inspiring story that occurred in your career?
One of my favorite memories occurred when I was in Iowa State Singers and on our International Choir tour to South Korea in May 2011. Thinking back on my trip, I often wondered if I would ever experience anything like that again. Flash forward eight years and I find myself working in a school district that has a long tradition of supporting and making exceptional choral music. Each year, we put on four full-length concerts--including two performances with hired professional musicians, regional choir tours, and an international choir tour every three years. I was lucky to go on the first international choir tour for our school district to Ireland and England in June 2019. While on that ten-day tour, I got to conduct two of my all-time favorite choral pieces--Palestrina's "Sicut Cervus" and "The Road Home" by Stephen Paulus--along with other Anglican renaissance choral music in the beautiful Ely Cathedral in Ely, England. That wasn't our only performance of that trip, but to me, it was the most memorable and if you've ever stepped foot in Ely Cathedral, you'll understand why. Since then, our choirs have taken an international tour through Northern Spain and Portugal, and we're already beginning preparations for our next international choir tour. I'm inspired daily to be able to make music at a high level with my students. I'm immensely grateful to be able to not only have the opportunity to take that music to different parts of Iowa, the United States, and the world, but to live and work in a community that supports it wholeheartedly.
Are there other ways that you participate in your community and/or hot to engage as a Citizen Artist?
I volunteer at Summitcreek Church in Urbandale as a Worship Leader/Worship Team member, I'm a member of the Waukee Public Arts Advisory Commissioner, I volunteer with Waukee Area Christian Services, and served on the ISU Alumni Board as a Young Alumni Associate.
How did your time at ISU prepare you for your career?
While at ISU, I was fortunate to be a part of high-level performing opportunities--through ISU theater and singing in Cantamus & Iowa State Singers. I encountered a richness to life through wonderful musical and educational experiences that I know I would not have undergone had I gone to any other institution.
What was your favorite class while you were at ISU?
Singing in the choir -- Iowa State Singers and Cantamus.
How was your involvement in music and theatre beneficial in different parts of your life?
I create music and art with my students every day--my involvement with ISU music quite literally prepared me for what I would do every day of my career. I also love how many ISU alums I'm not colleagues with. It's a lot of fun to have the Cyclone Connection with colleagues.
Any words of wisdom for current or prospective students?
Enjoy your time and you're going to be busy no matter what so enjoy the opportunities that are presented to you now! If you can, go on that international tour or study abroad. Try out for the next theater production, 10-minute play festival, 1 Act play festival, etc. There is something for everyone, you just have to put yourself out there. ISU Music and Theatre is a special place to be--for me, I truly lucked into the program when I did. I was afforded performing opportunities that I never would've been a part of had I gone to any other institution. You'll never get this time again, so make the most of it.