By Britni Bateman

Kenneth “Ken” Park, a 1971 graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s School of Music, has donated $100,000 worth of percussion instruments and accessory items to the SIU School of Music, giving students hands-on access to global sounds and professional-grade gear.

“I’ve known for years that I wanted my instruments to come home to SIU,” said Park, 80, who lives in Westchester, California. “These drums and mallet instruments were my therapy and my friends. I hope students will hear the human side of music in them and create their own sound.”

A Gift of Global Sound

Park’s gift includes an array of instruments that reflect a lifetime of studio and touring work, from timpani and vibraphone to Latin and world percussion. He said the collection will help students explore color, texture, and rhythm across cultures in real time, rather than only through samples.

“You can have a laptop and use samples,” Park said. “But in the room, with people, you hear the real instrument. You learn how to tune it, how it feels, and how it sits in the music. That’s how creativity opens up.”

From Small Town to the World Stage

Raised in Murphysboro, Illinois, Park began playing professionally in grade school after a local teacher who led the area musicians’ union spotted his talent. He performed with SIU faculty and in southern Illinois clubs before serving in the Fifth U.S. Army Band at Fort Sheridan, where he led the percussion section. After SIU, he built a wide-ranging career in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, and on international stages.

A Career of Notable Collaborations

Park’s professional résumé spans some of the biggest names in music. He has recorded for Capitol Records, Casablanca Records, Arista Records, and Geffen Records, working with Donna Summer, Barry Manilow, Tammy Wynette, Peggy Lee, Dionne Warwick, and Doc Severinsen of “The Tonight Show.”

On stage, he has shared concert and tour bills with Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Donna Summer, Barry Manilow, and Kitaro, performing on multiple world tours. His versatility has taken him from Broadway, where he played in Tintypes, to diverse ensembles such as the new-age group Istar, the Crystal Palace Ragtime Band, and Magic’s John Blues Band.

His television credits include performing cues for the series Tenspeed and Brown Shoe and Major Dad.

“My break in Hollywood came with Donna Summer,” Park said. “I auditioned, played the parts exactly as written, and she said, ‘You’re hired.’ Later I toured with Barry Manilow and recorded for artists like Dionne Warwick and Neil Diamond. I learned to bring the right sound for the song and to be fast and prepared.”

SIU’s Lasting Impact

Park credits SIU faculty for giving him space to practice, perform, and grow.

“This is where I learned the musical part of music,” he said. “Professors encouraged me, let me play in percussion ensemble, and helped me study classical music. I’m forever grateful they put up with my madness and gave me a shot.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

The decision to part with his instruments, Park said, was emotional but clear.

“When I came back to campus for a visit and talked about donating my collection to the School of Music, Dr. Chris Butler looked me in the eye and said, ‘I’ll take care of your babies.’ That sealed it, and I knew this was the right place,” he said. “Once I returned home, I walked around the block, had a good cry, and started packing.”

Park hopes the instruments inspire students to chase curiosity and discipline in equal measure.

“Practice slowly and value your time here,” he said. “Play in every ensemble you can. Learn the piano so your ear develops. Tune your instruments and listen to music from everywhere. If you do that for four years, you’ll have a real shot.”

He also wants students to remember that percussion is more than timekeeping.

“Good drummers and percussionists are musicians first,” Park said. “Learn the notes, learn the harmony, and learn how your part colors the whole track. That’s what gets you called back.”

A Legacy of Music

Even as he winds down his performance schedule, Park remains energized by music. He has performed with the Beach Cities Symphony in Southern California for more than four decades and plans to keep a small setup to play at home.

“I’ve gone my whole life at full speed,” he said. “Now I’m trying to slow down, listen, and enjoy it. I’m grateful to God, to my parents who let me play in the bars as a kid, and to SIU for giving me a place to learn.”

Park said sending the collection to his alma mater feels personal.

“I didn’t have children,” he said. “These instruments are my kids, and I’m sending them to college. I want SIU students to bang on them, explore, record, flip the sounds, and build something new. That’s the joy of percussion.”

Expanding Opportunities at SIU

The School of Music will catalog and integrate the instruments into ensembles, lessons, and recording projects throughout the year. Park believes the impact will be immediate.

“Students will get to play the world,” he said. “South American, African, Asian, classical, jazz — it’s all there. When you put it in context with real, hands-on instruments, it changes how you hear everything.”

SIU holds a rare distinction as one of only 21 universities nationwide — out of nearly 4,000 — recognized by the Carnegie Classification for both Research 1 status, the highest level of research activity, and as an Opportunity College and University, which honors institutions that expand access and foster social mobility. This dual recognition reflects SIU’s commitment to advancing knowledge while opening doors for students from all backgrounds. Park’s gift to the School of Music embodies that mission, enriching hands-on learning and inspiring future musicians to create, innovate, and share their art with the world.

This contribution also supports Imagine SIU 2030, the university’s comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the campaign has raised more than $422 million toward its $500 million goal, making it the fifth largest fundraising effort in Illinois higher education. In the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to 2,111 students, representing 17 percent of the student body.

Gifts like Park’s ensure that SIU continues to grow as a place where research, opportunity, and access come together to change lives for generations to come.

To support the SIU School of Music, learn more at: https://music.siu.edu/alumni/give.php