Senior Chief Petty Officer Kenneth E. Shrum, USN
Euphoniumist, Naval Academy Band

Senior Chief Musician Kenneth E. Shrum is a native of Ottawa, Kansas. After graduation from Ottawa High School in 1977, Senior Chief Shrum attended Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri, where he studied euphonium and trombone with Dr. Joseph Nicholson, graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. Senior Chief Shrum then attended the University of Missouri, Kansas City, where he studied with Dr. John Leisenring and completed a Master's degree in Trombone Performance in 1983. He then entered doctoral studies at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. While a student at Arizona State, Shrum was a finalist in the Solo Euphonium competition sponsored by the Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association (T.U.B.A.), held at the Second International Brass Congress at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. During his time at Arizona State, he studied euphonium with renowned performer and educator, Dan Perantoni, and trombone with Gail Wilson. Prior to joining the Navy, Shrum was on the faculty of Valley Forge Christian College in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

Senior Chief Shrum enlisted in the Navy Music Program in 1986 and reported for duty with the United States Naval Academy Band, in August 1986. He performs as euphonium instrumentalist in the Academy Band's Concert Band and euphonium and trombone instrumentalist with various marching and ceremonial bands. Shrum was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 1993, and was selected for advancement to Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1999. He was instrumental in forming the Naval Academy Band Tuba/Euphonium Quartet in 1986, and is the only original member still on active duty. The tuba ensemble has performed at various local schools and libraries, and has participated annually in the U.S. Army Band Tuba/Euphonium Conference since 1987. Shrum has been a featured soloist with the Concert Band and has numerous performances on the band's Chamber Music Recital Series to his credit. He is currently one of the band's two enlisted conductors. Senior Chief Shrum completed his work toward a doctoral degree and was awarded a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Euphonium Performance from Arizona State University in 1989. Shrum is only the second individual in over twenty years to have earned his doctoral degree while on active duty with the Naval Academy Band.

His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (2 awards), the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Award, and Navy Expert Pistol Marksman's Medal.

Senior Chief Shrum is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, and T.U.B.A.

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