The Everchanging Playground: Wunderbus Chats Passion and Following Your Intuition

Wunderbus is a project by Jalen Thompson, otherwise known as KCSU's 2023-2024 Music Director. Growing up in Missouri, Thompson was surrounded by music while in school, and they began playing in their middle school band. They were hooked and quickly began scouring their community for opportunities to keep playing music; they were in a jazz band and a rock band, playing keyboard and singing for the first time. Once they moved to Colorado and started attending CSU, Thompson began to explore contemporary classical and connect with the local scene. Joining Thompson is Raemi Morin, Thompson's partner and CSU music therapy alum. Morin grew up being classically trained, wanting to play violin but ended up with piano, clarinet (band kids all around!), and finally guitar in college; she names Thompson as one of her inspirations to break out of the rigidity of the classical genre. Now a CSU graduate, Thompson is always trying to find new music and do things when they feel called to do them. Wunderbus is their "playground", helping them remember how much music means to them and what they can achieve with their passion. Wunderbus is planning on releasing new music around May, 2025!