Kruse gets a behind-the-scenes look at The Syracuse Orchestra
Hard work and love of music earned Bishop Grimes 2025 graduate and musician Piper Kruse the Second Annual Drakos Urgent Care “Tenacity in Tune” Award from The Syracuse Orchestra. The award was created to honor a high school musician who is passionate and committed to becoming the best musician they can be. Kruse’s teachers and The Syracuse Orchestra mentors agreed she put in the extra work, had done the extra practice, and asked for help to take her playing to the next level.
Kruse plays tenor saxophone, takes voice lessons, and participates in wind ensemble, jazz band, pep band, concert chorale, select choir, barbershop quartet, and musical theater. Her teachers said she exemplifies leadership, as younger musicians call on her for guidance. Kruse will attend Shenandoah University in Virginia in the fall as a vocal music education major.
As part of her honor, Kruse spent a day in May with Sean O’Loughlin, principal Pops conductor for The Syracuse Orchestra, and several musicians, specifically the saxophone players, as she learned about the rehearsal process for professional musicians and conductors.
“This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life so far,” Kruse said. “Everyone was so incredibly kind, talented, and passionate about their craft. I only hope that one day I can be a part of something similar. From my parents to every music teacher who inspired me, to the wonderful people who selected me as the winner of this award, thank you sincerely.”
“Music teaches discipline, creativity, teamwork, accountability, and teaches that with perseverance, you can accomplish what may have been thought was impossible,” said Heather Drake Bianchi, chief executive officer of Drakos Clinical Dynamics. “These are lessons that I learned as a young musician. At Drakos, we work hard to embody these values, which is why we’re committed to supporting the Tenacity in Tune awards.”
