Our clinic presents the results of a two-year study examining the high prevalence of food insecurity (FI) in the Kansas State University marching band as compared to the University, and the effects of establishing a food pantry in the rehearsal hall. The audience will learn about FI in this population, the significant toll it takes on well-being and academic performance, how we recognized and approached the problem, and steps that can be taken to identify and alleviate FI in their performing groups.
Frank Tracz
- Biographical Information
Dr. Frank Tracz is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Kansas State University. He earned his B.M.E. from The Ohio State University, M.M. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Ph.D. from the Ohio State University. He has public school teaching experience in Wisconsin and Ohio and has also served as Assistant Director of bands at Syracuse University and Director of bands at Morehead State University. Dr. Tracz has served as an adjudicator, clinician, speaker in various schools and conferences and has conducted All-State and Honor bands across the United States as well as in Canada, Singapore, South Africa, Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand.
At Kansas State, he directs the Wind Ensemble and the Marching Band, teaches graduate conducting, acts as an advisor to the Band Ambassadors, and administers and guides all aspects of a large BIG XII comprehensive band program. Ensembles under his direction have been invited to perform at numerous State conferences, MENC, two CBDNA regional conferences, The Larry Sutherland Wind band Festival at Fresno State, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and the American Bandmasters Association Conference. The marching band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy in 2015. The Wind Ensemble has also performed at the International Convention of the American Bandmasters Association in 2019 in Loveland, CO.
Dr. Susan Williams earned her undergraduate degree in music education from Kansas State University, a
master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Rhode Island, and served as an officer, nutrition
professional and reservist in the U.S. Air Force. She returned to college after a successful career,
completed medical school at Wright State University, residency in the Kettering Medical Center Network,
and a fellowship in clinical nutrition and metabolism at the Cleveland Clinic.
She is a currently a clinical physician scientist on the staff in the department of Endocrinology in the
Medical Specialty Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, Ohio. She has published extensively,
lectured nationally and internationally, and has become a well-recognized expert in rare and inherited
bone diseases. Prior to coming to the Cleveland Clinic, she worked as an internist and metabolic
specialist in the Kettering Health Network in Dayton, OH.