Cody Toll
Violin
Has played with the Salina Symphony since:
Consistently since 2013, sporadically since 2004
Hometown: Salina, KS
Current City: Manhattan, KS
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in K-12 Music Education from Kansas State University
Job Title:
Orchestra Director for USD 383, Manhattan/Ogden
Earliest musical memory:
I loved listening to my cousin, Donnie, play his cello when I was very young. Attending his Salina Youth Symphony concert when I was four years old is what inspired me to become a musician. My older brother and I used to sit on the floor at his house and name tunes, and he would play them for us. If he didn’t know the tune we named, (or if we named something that wasn’t a tune), he would make something up.
Best part of being a Salina Symphony musician:
It’s amazing to get to play with a talented community of musicians under the direction of a fantastic conductor for a very receptive and appreciative audience. All the right pieces are in place for it to be a fulfilling experience for any musician.
Most memorable performance with the Salina Symphony:
Unique performances like Beauty and the Beast and accompanying Cirque Musica are very memorable.
Favorite composers:
Ludwig van Beethoven
What song best describes you when you first wake up in the morning?
Finlandia by Sibelius
What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
My musical tastes are constantly changing, but typically, the more heartfelt a performance is, the more interested I am in listening to it. I’m currently into some independent jazz and funk groups.
How do you spend your free time?
I’m an orchestra teacher. What’s free time?
Whom do you admire?
I admire people who are more interested in brightening the lives of those around them than they are in other pursuits.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
I feel a great sense of accomplishment any time I inspire in my students a desire to succeed at something that is difficult.