Bob and Ruth Hansen have dedicated their whole lives to helping others find joy and love in the areas of music and theater. Bob is a 1951 GHS alumni. Their three children all graduated from Greenville Public Schools, along with two of their grandchildren, and they have all participated in the performing arts while they were in school.

Both Bob and Ruth have been involved in the GPS alumni association, have volunteered in the schools for many years, served on the Danish Festival Committees, have been Grand Marshalls of the Danish Festival Parade, helped organize and run the Danish Band (of which Bob was co-founder), the Hans Christian Andersen Theater program, the GHS Drama club, the Greenville JC’s, the Rotary Club Drum and Bugle Corps Festival, the Community WinterFest Band and Orchestra Festival, and a morning men’s basketball club.  

Bob has serviced thousands of students through his business, Hansen’s Music Store, for over 60 years, not only in Greenville but across Montcalm County, providing instrument sales, repairs, and music lessons. Ruth has directed over 100 plays in our community, has participated in Odyssey of the Mind as a coach and judge, organized community fundraisers through producing melodrama theater shows, is active in the Flat River Players and Creative Arts Council, and serves on the Greenville Area Community Center Board. Bob and Ruth were also initial donors to the OUR 3 campaign, and they continue to support this initiative. Their motto has been, “We do not sell instruments here; we provide the opportunity and the joy of making music that can last a lifetime.”

Byron & Dee Cook have made giving back the focus of their lives. Byron is a 1950 GHS Alumni. They both attended MSU, where Byron participated in the MSU Marching Band and Symphonic Band. He has been a successful businessman and developer and served as president of the Michigan Oil and Gas Association. Dee was a professional big band singer from a very early age, singing in Detroit, on the professional stage, on the Radio, on TV, and at WKAR TV in East Lansing. They have been involved in the Greenville community for decades. Dee served on the Greenville Board of Education, including serving as President for 16 years, was elected to the MSU Board of Trustees, and was Co-Chairperson for an MSU Capital Campaign.

This couple is responsible for underwriting the renovations for the Recital Hall in the Michigan State University Music Building, which now bears their name, and they were the primary donors for the extensive music building renovations currently in progress at Michigan State. Byron & Dee’s children both attended GHS and participated in the music programs, as did two of their three grandchildren. Byron and Dee were lead donors in the original OUR3 Performing Arts Campaign, which started in 2009, and they have just renewed their commitment to the Performing Arts Endowment Fund with an additional significant contribution.

Genevieve Hamper was born in Greenville in 1888 and lived in Greenville for 20 years. She won a prize for her art in watercolors at the age of 13 from the Grand Rapids Herald Newspaper. She opened a dress-making shop in Greenville in her late teens. In 1908, at the age of 20, she moved with her parents to Detroit. 

In 1910 she was hired as a Shakespearian actress playing opposite Robert Mantell in Chicago. In 1912, they were married.  She had a very successful acting career on stage, where she was known for her beauty as well as her acting ability. In 1915 she starred in her first silent movie films. She starred in seven films between 1915-1923. She continued to perform on stage touring the country performing Shakespeare. Her husband, Robert Mantell, died in 1928. She married actor John Alexander a year later but retired from the stage in 1933 following the death of her son. She died in New York City in 1971 at the age of 82.

Janet Ralph-Warnshuis has served the Greenville Public Schools in many capacities over the last 40 years, including PTA president, room mother, band booster member, mentor, and volunteer. Janet’s dedication has been incredible but probably her most well-known position in our community has been as a dedicated board of education member for forty-four years and serving as the board president for over thirty years.

Greenville Public Schools was fortunate to have Janet serve our students, as her commitment to education is unmatched. Those who have worked with her describe her as dedicated, full of wisdom, professional, passionate, and kind. The performing arts department is grateful for Janet’s unwavering support, as it was instrumental in leading the cause to build a performing arts center. Just a few years ago, she stated - “Our fine arts department, which we have worked hard to protect and strengthen, provides wonderful entertainment for not only students and parents but senior citizens at a very reasonable cost close to home. It is one of our most valued facilities.”  She was passionate about communicating the need for the arts to have an appropriate venue to perform in. It was her commitment to this cause that helped make it possible.

Janet was presented the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Michigan Association of School Boards in 2018 and has been the recipient of the school district GPS Elmer Russell “School Bell Award”. Janet has chosen to recognize the importance of a quality and ever-changing public school system. Her wisdom and knowledge have truly shaped us into who we are today as a school system. We will be forever grateful for her leadership and passion for our schools.

Paul Warnshius has been an anchor in our community for decades. His commitment to community service and support of the arts is evidenced in many ways, but especially by his membership in the Greenville Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce and his passion for educational programs and activities.

As a member of the Rotary Club, Paul coordinated the “Rhythm on the River” concert series throughout the summer months at Rotary Park. He was also the coordinator of the Rotary Drum Corps show every summer for nearly 20 years. His efforts brought many drum corps to Greenville, who were often in town the same week the GHS Marching Band was in summer camp, leading to great collaboration between corps members and high school band students. 

Paul often purchased music arrangements for the high school jazz band and sponsors an annual scholarship for a student to attend Jazz Camps.

It was Paul who made it financially possible for the installation of the Hearing Loop System in the Greenville Performing Arts Center.

Paul defines the words “Performing Arts Supporter” and continues to have the commitment to keeping music alive in Greenville.

Charlotte Lothian served as a second-grade teacher, middle school orchestra teacher, fifth-grade general music teacher, English teacher, Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator, and Gifted & Talented Coordinator for Greenville Public Schools. Charlotte was a member of the Greenville Council for the Arts, having a major role in helping the council secure 501c status and sponsor performances of Handel’s Messiah in the community. She was a founding board member of the Greenville Area Community Foundation, representing the arts. Charlotte was named orchestra teacher of the year twice for MSBOA District 7 and received the 2007 GPS Elmer Russell “School Bell Award” for outstanding service to GPS. She also received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2019.

Charlotte came up with the idea to produce a local talent show, “Broadway Delights” as a fundraiser for arts programs that later turned into our annual “OUR3 Variety Show” as she co-chaired the initial OUR3 Endowment Fund fundraising effort. She has done countless productions with community theater, was the first vocalist for the Flat River Big Band, has been adjunct faculty for Montcalm Community College, conductor of the Rockford Community Orchestra, and started the “Montcalm Community College Philharmonic” as a way to link post-secondary orchestra playing opportunities for local musicians. In her retirement, she continues to mentor young string students by coaching solo and ensemble sessions at GMS until she heads south to Myrtle Beach, where she spends the cold winter months. Of course, she’s started a small community orchestra there as well!

Shane Mahan, a 1981 graduate of GHS, has had a remarkable career in Hollywood as a Film Special Effects Artist, Screenwriter, and Film Producer. He started learning his craft in high school when his art teacher, Tom Blinn, taught him how to make rubber molds for masks.

While a senior at GHS, Shane wrote and directed a play entitled, “Dracula, Master of Evil.”  After high school, Shane moved to California and eventually landed a job with Stan Winston Studios, the leading Hollywood studio for special effects. He was a crew member on the 1983 film, “The Terminator.”  This movie introduced groundbreaking special effects. Shane now has over 80 film credits in Special Effects and Makeup.

He worked as Creature Effects Coordinator for the 1986 film “Aliens.”  He was the Art Department Coordinator for the 1993 film “Jurassic Park”. In 2002, he won the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Award for “Best  Special Make-Up Effects for the film, “The Mermaid Chronicles.”

Shane was nominated for an Oscar in special effects 2009 for his work in the movie “Iron Man” where he was the Physical Suit Effects Supervisor. When Stan Winston died in 2008, Shane and three other colleagues formed a new company called Legacy Effects.

2017 was a big year for Shane and his Legacy Effects Studio. ”The Shape of Water” won four Academy Awards, including “Best Picture.” For this film, Shane was the Legacy Effects Supervisor and was one of the creature designers.

Some of the films Shane has worked on are Iron Man 1, 2, & 3, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Captain Marvel, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs. Kong, Captain America; The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Life of Pi, The Bourne Legacy, Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Terminator: Salvation, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, War of the Worlds, Predator, Predator 2, Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, The Hunger Games, and Avatar.

While at Greenville Public Schools, Shane played percussion in the band at GHS and is now learning the violin.

Peter and Cindy Hanson have been active in the Greenville Community for decades. Peter, a 1980 graduate of Ionia High School, and Cindy, a 1981 graduate of Unity Christian High School, met at Ferris State University in the marching band. Peter played trombone, and Cindy was in the flag corps. She also played clarinet on a music scholarship in the FSU concert band. Some of their best memories are from their college band experience, including playing halftime shows at Detroit Lions football games!

Peter and Cindy have been indispensable to the GHS music program. Peter has driven the band and orchestra trailer to and from every “on the road” performance since 1999. This includes four band trips to Disneyworld, a jazz band trip to St. Louis, and countless statewide marching band, jazz, and band and orchestra festivals. Cindy used her many years in Scouting, helping on each trip as a chaperone and first aid go-to.   As if that were not enough, Peter and Cindy also ran the concessions stand at home football games at Black Field from 1999-2008!

Cindy also played the organ for the Congregational Church, and in 2009, Peter and Cindy were awarded the GPS Elmer Russell “School Bell Award”.    Peter says, “he has always loved music and the character it builds in those young budding musicians”. Peter and Cindy state that “Greenville is blessed with a wonderful fine arts program, and it has been a joy to watch so many young people grow into responsible adults!”

Hubert Jerome Martin, or Jerry as he was known, received his degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan. After graduating, he taught in Mendon, Elk Rapids, and Evart before taking the job in Greenville in 1955. His major instruments were the Clarinet and Saxophone. His wife, Doris, was a teacher at Walnut Hills Elementary School. They had two sons, Doug (GHS grad ’67) and Tom (GHS grad ’62).

Jerry began his tenure at GPS teaching band in grades 6-12. The sixth-grade music experience began the year as a general music course and ended it as a recruiting tool for his band program. He loved tinkering with reeds and convinced his father (a U of M engineer) to invent a machine that made reeds for him and his students. After eleven years in Greenville, he convinced the administration to add a staff member to run the middle school program. Jerry Heydenberk came to GPS to fill the spot as Middle School Band Director in 1966 after being the band director in Reed City for three years. This addition allowed Mr. Martin the time to start a jazz program at the school! These two men ran the program closely together until 1975, when Jerry Martin retired, and Keith Hudson came on board.

He was well-liked and respected in the community. In his spare time, he enjoyed directing the choir at the Congregational Church. His son Doug recalls many wonderful moments with his father working in “the shop” behind his house making reeds, listening to reel-to-reel recordings of the day’s rehearsals, and driving to U of M to listen to the U of M Symphonic Band under Dr. William Revelli – an experience that led him to understand why his father worked so hard to achieve “that sound”.

Jerry Martin’s legend lives on in the history of our outstanding band program at GPS.

Gerald E. Heydenberk (Gerry) was the Middle School Band Director at Greenville Public Schools from 1966 until his retirement in 1991. Gerry is a graduate of Hart High School and graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in 1963 and later with a Master's Degree in 1970.  

As a senior at Hart High School, Gerry was positive he wanted to teach music. His High School Band Director, Mr. Metzle, encouraged him to student teach at the Junior high and allowed him to direct at both the Junior and High School levels. He also performed at State Solo and Ensemble, where he received a Division 1 rating from UM Band Director Dr. Revelli. 

Gerry married Anna Merten, also from Hart, Michigan, while Gerry served in the Army. During his time in the military, Gerry was sent to the Naval School of Music where he had the honor to march in three Presidential parades for President Eisenhower. In 1991, Gerry was voted Outstanding Band Director in MSBOA District 7.   Gerry considered the 1983 and 1989 band trips to Europe as highlights of his 25 years of teaching in Greenville. He is also thankful to have worked with three special people in Greenville: Jerry Martin, Keith Hudson, and Bob Hansen. 

Terry Sampson is a 1976 graduate of Greenville High School. He is a songwriter, producer, singer, and keyboardist. He signed his first publishing deal while attending Central Michigan University. Shortly after he relocated to Los Angeles, his song “Summer Hearts” was selected and used in the movie “National Lampoon's Vacation.”  He was subsequently hired as a staff composer for Warner Brothers.

He has won many awards as a songwriter, including earning a Gold Record for the work he did for Disney. He won the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul award in 2007 for his song “God’s Gift to the World”, which spent a year on the Gospel and R&B Billboard charts. He has written for many TV productions and arranged the rhythm section music for the 1987 Super Bowl.

His compositions have been covered by acclaimed recording artists like Al Jarreau, Kenny Rogers, Carl Anderson, Nicolette Larson, CeCe Winans, and Vanessa Williams, to name a few. Movie and TV music include Family Ties, Land of The Lost, National Lampoon’s Vacation, and The Young and the Restless.

Children’s projects include songs and underscore for Make Way for Noddy and Sid The Science Kid (PBS), Angelina Ballerina (BBC), My Little Pony (Hasbro), and Winnie The Pooh (Disney).

 Dr. Carter Dewberry is a cellist and composer working in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, California. She performs classical, electronic, jazz, experimental, and world music. She also composes concert, electronic, and film music for solo cello and various chamber ensembles.

 Carter completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in Chamber Music Performance and Masters in Music in Cello Performance from UCLA. She received her Bachelor's in Music in Cello Performance from Western Michigan University and also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French with minors in Women’s Studies and Philosophy.

 Dr. Dewberry has a wide variety of performance experience as a soloist, orchestra, and studio musician. She is the founder of the OC Cello Choir, a cello ensemble, and the Definiens Project, a non-profit chamber music organization. She has been a member of the Robin Cox Ensemble and the Peter Sprague String Consort. However, her passion is discovering the full expressive potential of the cello. This has led her to write everything from Bach-inspired solo pieces to multi-layered cello soundscapes to chamber music featuring the cello.

 Carter is available for live and in-studio performances. She can also record from her own recording studio. She uses a Royer 122-V microphone, Apogee Ensemble, and Logic Studio to produce her work.

 In addition to scoring films and writing her own music, she maintains an active recording schedule and teaches cello and theory lessons in Orange County. Prospective students can visit www.occelloteacher.com for additional information.

 Film and TV credits are Homeland, The Borgias, Sherlock Holmes Elementary, The Tudors Seasons 1-4, Raising the Bar Season 1 and 2, Sea Horse, X-men 2, Gothika, Eight Legged Freaks, as well as others…

Arthur (Art) Gorman was the band director in Greenville Public Schools from 1942 to 1952. He instilled a discipline and a sense of pride in his student musicians that took their level of excellence in performance and musicianship to a new level. His bands earned 1st division ratings at district and state festivals for the first time ever in the GHS history. 

In addition to teaching music (and driving a school bus), he also performed as the 1st chair trumpet in the Grand Rapids Symphony for at least 16 years. 

His most lasting legacy was in composing the current Greenville High School fight song known as Varsity Song. He continued his ties to Greenville by directing the Danish Festival Band for over 10 years. Arthur Gorman passed away on February 25, 2002.

 Born in 1938, Martha Henry lived with her grandparents, Glenn and Rose Hatch of Greenville, after her parents divorced. Her mother, Konnie Hatch Buhs, was a professional musician in the Detroit area and could not leave young Martha home alone. Martha found a script for a play in her grandmother’s trunk and immediately fell in love with acting. 

Martha attended Greenville Public Schools from first through ninth grades before moving back to the Detroit area with her mother. After seeing Christopher Plummer in Hamlet, she fell in love with Shakespeare and Stratford. Her acting career took off with a rapid rise to becoming the most respected and legendary actress and director in Stratford. She also starred in a number of award-winning movies and TV specials. Martha passed away on November 13, 2021.

 Vivian Martin was born in Sparta in 1891 but soon moved to Benton Street in Greenville. Her parents were Charles H. Martin and Grace Gibbs. By the time she was ten years old, she was performing on stage at the Detroit Opera House. Vivian made her New York stage debut in Cyrano de Bergerac that same year. She made my Broadway debut at the age of twelve as Little Lord Fauntleroy.

 After 10th grade, Vivian left Greenville to tour the country as Peter Pan. When the show arrived in Grand Rapids in 1908, two hundred Greenville residents chartered a train to see her perform.

After finishing the national tour, Vivian traveled the country in a number of stage plays until 1914, when she starred in her first film, The Wishing Ring. This is her only film that survived, and the Flat River Historical Museum has a copy on DVD. Once the film, The Wishing Ring was rediscovered a few years ago, film critics praised the film and its director, Maurice Turnair. They claimed the film to be the high point of American cinema up to that time. One critic thought it could have easily been made a decade later. Vivian Martin was considered a rival to Mary Pickford, known as America’s Sweetheart.

 In 1918, the Motion Picture Magazine listed her in popularity right behind Charlie Chaplin.

Vivian went on to star in forty-one silent films. Many of these movies were presented at the Greenville Silver Theater. She left the film industry in 1921 but continued to perform on Broadway for a number of years.

 Vivian Martin died in New York City in 1987, aged 93. Her obituary in the New York Times noted her philanthropy and association with the Professional Children's School in New York. She contributed to the lives of young performers as both a friend and benefactress.

Sharron Pridgeon has been an avid supporter of the performing arts department in Greenville for many years. She is a passionate patron and helped with many productions, working backstage in the make-up department as a make-up artist. 

 Sharon is a graduate of Reading High School and attended Olivet College, earning a BA in 1992. Sharron and her husband, Tom, have two children, Jeffrey and Andrew, and six grandchildren. After completing a class in theatre make-up at the University of Wisconsin, Manitowoc, she provided make-up services for the “The Masquers”, a community theater group in Manitowoc, WI, for four years. She also provided make-up services in Olivet for the Olivet Community Schools as well as serving the Greenville Public Schools Theater Department from 1998-2000. 

 She has treasured her experiences, which have allowed her to meet and interact with wonderfully talented individuals in the performing arts area. We are grateful for Sharron’s contribution to the Greenville Theater Department and appreciate her ongoing support for the performing arts. 

Tom Pridgeon has been a part of the educational world for over 50 years. He has served as a teacher and administrator, and most relevant to Greenville, he served as the Greenville Public Schools Superintendent from 1990-1998. Tom grew up in Reading, Michigan, and attended Adrian College, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, where he was the esteemed fraternity Song Leader. He then continued his educational journey by earning a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University and an EDS degree in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. Tom and his wife, Sharron, have two sons, Jeffrey and Andrew, and six grandchildren.

While serving in Greenville, Tom met with former music educational staff listening and planning for the possibility of a new performing arts center. It was then Tom who took this vision forward and led the school district in a successful bond campaign that enabled the school to build the current performing arts center. This significant contribution has allowed the performing arts department to have a relevant and appropriate venue to perform and show off the talents of our students. Tom was also recognized for his contributions to the district by being awarded the school district’s top award, the GPS Elmer Russell "School Bell Award" in 1998. We are grateful for Tom’s ongoing support of the performing arts and are indebted to him for bringing Greenville such a beautiful performing arts center. 

Danielle VanTuinen is a 2007 Greenville High School graduate. While at GHS, she was involved in the Band, Choir, and Theater programs. Each year, she continued to excel musically which gave her the base that she needed to find her passion in music.

 Danielle is currently a performer, educator, and entrepreneur based in Gainesville, Florida. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium and Director of the University of Florida Brass Band at the University of Florida. Prior to her current appointment, Danielle served as a Lecturer of Music at Plymouth State University, where she taught low brass methods, chamber music, and applied lessons. She also served as low brass faculty at the Portland Conservatory of Music, adjunct staff for the marching band at the University of New Hampshire, private lesson instructor throughout northern New England, and low brass instructor for the Phoenix Youth Symphony. She has been invited to adjudicate at a variety of festivals, including the New Hampshire MEA Solo & Ensemble Competition, the Paul I. Willwerth Brass Competitions, the International Women’s Brass Young Artist Competition, and the AETYB Young Artist Competition in Madrid, Spain.

 As a co-founder of the internationally acclaimed Moreau | VanTuinen Duo, she has been invited to perform at the Spanish Association of Tubas and Euphoniums, Northern Arizona University, Ithaca College, the Miraphone Academy of the Southwest, the United States Pershing’s Own Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Workshop, and the International Women’s Brass Conference. Her commitment to expanding low brass repertoire has resulted in over 15 compositions by composers such as Steven Snowden, James Grant, Shaun Tilburg, and Etienne Crausaz. Danielle earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Performance, a Master of Music degree in Music Performance from Arizona State University, and a Bachelors of Music degree in Music Performance from Central Michigan University. Dr. VanTuinen proudly endorses S.E. Shires and the Eastman Music Company.

Ambrose Wyrick, a Greenville native, was a remarkable man that few people know about today. Born in 1891, his family lived on Clay Street and later Pearl Street. He attended public school until 1907. He then studied voice in Chicago and New York from 1907-1911.

In his day, he was a widely celebrated concert tenor. He had a repertoire of more than 3,500 songs, sung in 26 languages, had 118 radio broadcasts, and in one year alone, made 218 appearances in opera, concerts, radio, and music lectures. 

He recorded for Gennet, Victor, and Columbia Records and he had six songs and three books published.

He made two world tours with the Chapman-Alexander Mission in Glasgow, Switzerland. From 1917-1919 he was a touring soloist in four Liberty Loan drives during WW 1. He is said to have sung for a total of 7 million paid admissions during his career.

He opened a school for music and drama on the 6th floor of the Lyons & Healy Building in Chicago.

Ambrose Wyrick died on March 13, 1960, and is buried at Forest Home Cemetery.

Allyson started her love for the fine arts back when she attended Greenville Public Schools and graduated with the Class of 1998. She stated that she was mentored by several staff including Katy McDonough, Laurie Timm, Paula Narva, Susan Gould and Joel Van Houten. Others, including Charlotte Lothian, Ruth Hansen, Dorothy Oliver, and Mark Dombroske, encouraged her to explore opportunities with piano, cello, choir, theatre, debate, conducting, and dance & leadership/administration. Through these experiences she gained confidence to believe that a life in the arts was a possible career choice for her. 

Allyson attended Bradley University and the University of Hawaii, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude from both Universities. At Bradley University, she earned a BA in Theatre & Religious Studies and a Minor in Asian Studies. At the University of Hawaii-Manoa, she earned an MFA in Asian Theatre with a concentration in Directing.

Throughout her early years, Allyson found success with directing, performing, teaching, and administration for theatre, opera, and symphony programs. She has taught at the college level and has traveled the country making professional and personal connections. Allyson spent eight years in her “Dream Job” as the Associate and Artistic Director at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater and has recently joined the faculty at Muskegon Community College, teaching full-time. 

Allyson has been honored with the following awards: Solano County Arty Award Nominee, Winner for Stage Direction, Best of the Springs Award Winner for Musical Production Broadway, World Detroit Winner for Best Production Grand Rapids Theatre, Grand Award Nominations for Direction & Production Member of the Orvis Z. Mae Opera Studio of Hawaii Opera Theatre, and has served as a panel member for the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition, she was selected for the Inaugural Class of the Steelcase Foundation's Global Social Innovation Fellowship.

Allyson finds herself reflecting back on those mentors and the profound impact that they had on the trajectory of my life. “Not every high school student is afforded the opportunities or the nurturing I received, and I will be forever grateful. I also have to say a huge thank you to my parents, who drove me all over West Michigan for lessons, rehearsals, concerts, and performances!”  She further states that “a life in the arts is never easy, but it is an adventure that I treasure every single day.”

Keith Hudson is a 1964 graduate of Royal Oak Dondero High School.   He received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in 1968 and his Master of Music Performance Degree in 1971, both from Michigan State University. Mr. Hudson taught band for 6 years at Perry and at North Branch before joining the music faculty at Greenville High School in 1975. His accomplishments with the Greenville program are extensive. Under his leadership, the GHS orchestra grew from a 7-12 grade ensemble to purely a high school ensemble in just a few years. The GHS Symphonic Band performed at the Michigan Music Conference in Ann Arbor in 1981 and the ASBDA (American School Band Directors Association) National Convention at Interlochen in 1987. He performed with the High School bands in Austria in 1983 and again in 1989. His bands and orchestras consistently earned high ratings at MSBOA festivals. From 1980 -1988, he spent his summers teaching at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and directed the Blue Lake Symphonic Band on a tour of Europe through the Blue Lake in Bavaria program in 1985.  

In 1991, Keith assumed the role of Greenville Middle School Band Director - a position he held until his retirement in 2004. This allowed him to spend more time teaching private lessons and performing. He is an outstanding clarinetist. He is a member of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, the Rockford Community Band and performs in several Jazz Trios around West Michigan. He has soloed with several ensembles in his career, including the MSU Concert Band, Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, and the Grand Rapids Symphony during their Holiday Pops concert. He is the manager and lead Alto Sax player in the Flat River Big Band and is a founding member of the Greenville Danish Band.  

His commitment to the Greenville community is extensive. He and his wife, Jean, are long-term members of the Flat River Museum and currently serve on the board. They were honored as Grand Marshals of the Danish Festival Grand Dansk Parade. Keith continues to be an active volunteer with the Greenville Music Department through coaching solo and ensemble events, playing in pit orchestras, and teaching private lessons.   

Outside of music, Keith is an accomplished Sailor, Cyclist, Historian, and Ghost Hunter. He has two children, Patrick and Michael, and three grandchildren, Keith Louis, Margaret, and Mack.

Clark and Dorothy Oliver were enthusiastic supporters of the arts. Clark played the viola, and Dorothy played the violin. Their love of music was something they shared with the Greenville Community.  

Clark was hired as the Greenville High School vocal director in 1947. He continued his work at Greenville High School as a Counselor, Director of Pupil Personnel, Secondary Curriculum Coordinator, and then Principal from 1967–1984. Clark continued to be a staunch music department advocate and supporter throughout his life. He was instrumental in preserving the orchestra program at Greenville Public Schools. Clark passed away in Greenville in 2000.

 Dorothy Oliver was an elementary school teacher and eventually the Principal at Walnut Hills. Later in her life, she was a social worker for Tri County Area Schools. She will always be remembered as one of Greenville’s finest musicians. You would often find her in the pit orchestra for Flat River Player’s shows, playing the organ or piano for an event, playing with a string quartet or other area chamber group. She was the concertmistress of the Rockford Community Orchestra for many years. Dorothy also gave her time to mentor students enrolled in the Greenville orchestra program. She helped many students learn about chamber music and prepared many of them for solo and ensemble events. 

Dorothy will also be remembered in Greenville as the originator of the Danish Festival. She was also a proud member and officer of the Grand Rapids Alumnae chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota's professional music fraternity. She performed with SAI many times and was awarded The Sword of Honor, The Rose of Honor, and her 60-year membership award.    Dorothy passed away in Greenville in 2014.