William Stewart Memorial Music Shell

William Stewart Memorial Music Shell

 

This music shell is dedicated to the man who built an unparalleled instrumental music department for the Muskegon Public Schools from 1936 until his death in 1960, and who set a standard for high school instrumental music performance that drew notice across the state and nation.  A consummate musician, detailed organizer, and tireless worker, William Stewart summed up his own work by saying, “More important than what we teach are the standards we set.”  With his students, he set high standards for musicianship, behavior, work ethic, and attention to detail.   Local teachers assisted him at after-school rehearsals for what they could learn from him, university musicians hailed him as a model, and national figures acknowledged his accomplishments.  He prized new and challenging musical experiences for students over “playing it safe” with simplicity, or repetition, leading to his symphonic band, marching band, and symphony orchestra performing an enormous array of fine literature.  His ensembles won accolades consistently, supported community events, served the nation tirelessly at bond drives during World War II, enlightened the general public musically, filled the auditorium regularly for concerts, and enriched the lives of thousands of young people – many of whom followed in his professional footsteps.

--Darrel Walters

 

Submitted by

Bryan Arnold

@nanowhiskers