Meet Craig Toerpe (’00), a former coach and educator who discovered you don’t have to be a music major to find major music opportunities at CUW.
To read more inspiring stories of CUW music alumni, click HERE. To help support the new CUW Music building, click HERE.
Quarter Notes
- Name: Craig Toerpe
- Hometown: Sheboygan, WI
- Now Resides: West Bend, WI
- Degrees/Certificates:
- Exercise Physiology/Sports Medicine/Physical Therapy
- Lutheran Education Teaching Certificate
- Master’s in Education Administration
- Primary Instrument: Trumpet
- CUW Ensembles: Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band
Whole Notes
First Job:
Biology/Physics/Chemistry Educator/Soccer and Track/Field Coach at Orlando Lutheran Academy (6th-12th) in Orlando, FL.
Current Job:
Gift Planner for the LCMS Foundation deployed to serve The South Wisconsin District.
Who or what inspired me to pursue music:
I started learning the trumpet in 4th grade at St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Sheboygan, WI, and continued to play through my middle school years at Trinity Lutheran in Sheboygan and all four years at Sheboygan Area Lutheran High School. When I met “Coach” [Dr. Louis Menchaca, CUW Music Dept. Chair], and he shared I did not have to be a music major to continue to play and perform at the collegiate level, I was all in.
Favorite CUW memory:
There are so many to choose from, but one that shaped my life forever was a trip to Chicago Brian Graun and I planned. We would gather a bunch of band and choir members for the lighting of Michigan Avenue, the weekend before Thanksgiving. We would all crowd into a hotel room in downtown Chicago, shop, eat and wear all our performance attire and attend a Chicago Symphony concert for $5 (Student Rush price). As it turned out, my ticket was next to Leah Meixell (Alum 2001). The rest is history and we have been happily married for 20 years now! Best ticket purchase of my life!
P.S. Another unforgettable CUW memory was when Dr. Menchaca traveled to Minnesota to play for our wedding. He raised the roof with his piccolo trumpet during his rendition of “Trumpet Voluntary“!
If you were to visit my home today, you would hear my two girls practicing piano or the boys practicing trumpet and baritone. During dinner you will hear either music streaming or vinyl playing in the background. Leah and I love to support the local arts and attend the Milwaukee Symphony, local chamber ensembles, and, of course, Christmas at Concordia. My prayer is that current and future generations of CUW musicians will create their own memories and take their God-given talents to the next level with the new music facility.
Craig Toerpe
Favorite CUW Music memory:
Again, too many to choose from. My first Christmas at Concordia experience for sure … performing with all the ensembles and watching the “snow” fall from the ceiling was incredible. And, during commencement when my name was announced, the entire band/percussion went crazy on their instruments. Talk about a grand exit! And I can’t forget to mention I was an honorary member of the “Fat Man March.”
What CUW Music has meant to me:
My parents would tell you I was an energetic child, always running around the house. When I was not running, I was listening to music. By the time I was two years old, my father taught me how to load and listen to an 8-track tape. My favorite band was ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) and to this day, I still listen to Jeff Lynn and his orchestra. Music has always been a big part of my life as continue to listen to AM/FM radio, cassettes, CD, Sirius XM, and vinyl, once again. While at CUW, Jay Schroeder and I hosted “Reservoir Radio,” and our purpose was to “change two dimensional minds, one by one.” We curated playlists to help all our listeners appreciate all genres of music. These experiences would shape my gratitude for all forms of melodies and continue my passion to seek out opportunities to both play and listen to music.
CUW gave me many opportunities to gain experience, perform and appreciate unique styles of music without having to declare music as a major. I could dive into classical or contemporary pieces with the Wind Ensemble. I was able to be loud, upbeat, and brassy with Pep Band, while dialing back the tone and tempo for Jazz Ensemble. Each ensemble not only served another occasion for me to perform, but also built upon a foundation of musical literacy with a new group of musicians. Little did I know when I participated in these ensembles with these musicians, I would have formed connections and friendships that still exist today.
If you were to visit my home today, you would hear my two girls practicing piano or the boys practicing trumpet and baritone. During dinner you will hear either music streaming or vinyl playing in the background. Leah and I love to support the local arts and attend the Milwaukee Symphony, local chamber ensembles and of course, Christmas at Concordia. My prayer is that current and future generations of CUW musicians will create their own memories and take their God-given talents to the next level with the new music facility. Just look at how music has shaped, not only my life, but the next generation of musicians in my life. Thank you, Dr. Menchaca, for your dedication to building and developing a music program at CUW, with a reputation and reach far beyond Mequon, Wisconsin! Thank you, Coach, for your mentorship, leadership, and friendship.
How you can help!
The CUW Music Department is currently raising funds to build a new, long-overdue music rehearsal space. The new building will devote 6,800 square feet to rehearsal and practice rooms for the 225-plus students at Concordia who are majoring in music programs or involved in one of CUW’s 12 music ensembles. If you’d like to help, click the link below to find out how to contribute.
Want in?
Since 1881, Concordia University’s mission has been teaching and preparing students for careers and vocations that serve The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Music has always been an integral part of that mission. The music department contributes to the spiritual, cultural, artistic, academic and co-curricular aspects to University life on campus. As the campus has grown in scope and size the music department has become more integral to the University mission.