Thomas Stephen Grubb

Thomas Stephen Grubb, nationally renowned keyboardist and teacher, passed away March 31, 2014 at age 62. Tom was born May 6, 1951 to Kenneth and Marjorie Grubb in Wichita, Kansas. From a young age, Toms musical talent was identified and fostered by his parents who supported him in music and art instruction. This love for music and beauty was the melody that defined Toms life and echoes as we grieve his passing. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, April 5 at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. Rev. Dr. Mary Korte will officiate. No calling hours will be held. Private burial at Resthaven Cemetery. Tom is survived by siblings, Ronald Grubb (Leslie), Randall Grubb, Gregory Grubb, Kenneth Grubb, Jr. and Susan Grubb, along with his nieces, nephews and extended family. He goes on to join parents, Kenneth and Marjorie, and brothers, Richard and Terry. In 1969, Tom graduated from North High School and was awarded a Wichita State University School of Music scholarship where he earned a Bachelors of Music cum laude in Piano Performance in 1974 and a Masters Degree in Music in 1979, along with advanced instruction in violin, vocal performance and harpsichord. In the academic world, Tom taught university classes on music literature, oratorio, cantata and vocal music literature. His musical arrangements and editions are regularly performed by various musical ensembles. Tom performed hundreds of recitals with an impressive variety of students, faculty and guest performers enjoying the privilege of collaborating with a number of world class artists such as Samuel Ramey, Karla Burns, Alan Held, Beverly Hoch, Joyce DiDonato, Kristin Chenoweth, Sarah Chang, Chee-Yun and Robert Shaw. His performing career of over 35 years embraced a rich and extensive variety of musical genres with his busy schedule as a collaborative pianist, musical coach, editor and musical literature consultant taking him across the country as a participant in many national and international musical productions. Tom recorded for the CRI label and was featured on National Public Radios “Performance Today” series as well as regularly heard on local radio. Tom was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, National Honorary Music Society in 2003 and was honored with a biographical entry in American Keyboard Artists in 1989. Most recently, Tom served as Instructor of Opera Literature at WSU and as Professional Musician, Organist and Choir Master at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephens Episcopal Church Music Fund, 7404 E. Killarney, Wichita, KS 67206 or Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF), In Memory of Thomas Grubb, One East Wacker Drive, Suite 2810, Chicago, IL 60601. Downing Lahey Mortuary West