Writer Tristen Ketcham wrote this feature on Gray Bishop as part of her final for 21st Century Journalism.

Music is something that’s always been a part of Gray Bishop.

Bishop teaches band and orchestra classes all over the Derby school district.

“I like how passionate he is about music and teaching the class,” orchestra student Mayani Washington said.

At Derby High, he assists with the varsity band and the orchestra program. He also teaches orchestra at Derby North Middle School along with Derby Hills Elementary.

“I like the community of the class and it’s going to be beneficial to my future,” orchestra student EllieAna Hale said.

He takes joy in seeing growth in students and seeing them try new things that the students didn’t think they were capable of.

He also participates in music outside of school. Bishop has played in jazz groups, large bands, is actively part of the Wichita Symphony and also part of a jazz group called “Blue Eyed Soul.”

Blue Eyed Soul plays different kinds of jazz music. They play songs ranging from older times, when Bishop was in high school, to more modern tunes, such as Bruno Mars or Walk The Moon.

Bishop’s passion for music definitely didn’t come randomly. Most of his family has been involved in music one way or another, and he takes lots of inspiration from two of his sisters who have made a career out of music.

“My sister is probably one of the best accompanists I’ve ever heard,” Bishop said.

His passion and involvement in music started when he was just a young boy when he started taking piano lessons. Eventually when he got to 5th grade, he stopped playing the piano and found his new passion that he’s stuck with for his whole life, the trumpet.

Bishop is somebody who takes inspiration and creativity from many different music genres, people and sounds.

“There are so many great musicians that every time I hear somebody that’s a professional or not even necessarily a professional musician, but somebody that simply loves music, it’s really fun being around them,” Bishop said.

Bishop has been working as a professional musician since 1979, so he knows how to recognize talent, hard work and creativity, which he tends to take most of his inspiration from.

He mentions his appreciation for bluegrass festivals and the musicians’ pure and raw love for music.

“People stay up all night just jamming with each other. And that’s some of the best music of the whole festival,” Bishop said

Overall, Bishop’s appreciation for music is rooted in the creativity, originality, motivation and genuine love for the art.

“I like the way that music is so interactive and the musicians really have to listen to each other in order to come up with something that is so phenomenal,” Bishop said.