By MIKE HAMMETT

Hays Daily News

Oboe player Thomas Gallant had not seen one of his former students since his time on faculty at Ohio University.

But when High Plains Band Camp director Kay Werth called her former teacher about joining the staff at camp, he jumped at the opportunity.

"She called me to come out here, and I said, 'Sure, I'd love to,' " Gallant said.

Now, Gallant finds himself at High Plains Band Camp on the campus of Fort Hays State University, teaching junior high and high school students about music.

Gallant said his path toward a career in music began in much the same way as the students he is teaching this week, in the local band.

With no musicians in his family, Gallant's choice to play an oboe seemed like an odd one to his family.

"I have to say they were rather disappointed when I brought home the oboe because they had never heard of it," Gallant said. "They were disappointed I didn't play the trumpet or clarinet. My grandmother to this day still thinks I play the clarinet because it looks like a clarinet."

Gallant said he began to get serious about playing the oboe while he was in high school. The idea of playing professionally came up when he saw an oboe player in an orchestra concert.

"It was the first time I saw a professional oboe player, and I thought it was kind of neat," Gallant said. "I thought that would be an interesting way to have a career and make a living."

Despite his parents' warnings, Gallant chose the career path.

"My parents said, 'Don't go into it. You can't make any money,' " Gallant said. "But I'm still in it after all these years."

Gallant's career as a musician took off. His music has been broadcast on Voice of America, National Public Radio and the BBC. He has performed in Carnegie Hall and other large performance venues.

Gallant said he still enjoys performing for audiences.

"I love to get out on stage," he said. "I have a great time on stage. You've got a certain amount of adrenaline and a certain amount of satisfaction playing to audiences and connecting to audiences."

Gallant will perform during band camp this week at the evening concerts, which are free to the public. Gallant will be featured in a 7:30 p.m. concert Thursday at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.

Reporter Mike Hammett can be reached at (785) 628-1081, Ext. 139, or by e-mail at mhammett@dailynews.net.