Inspiring music in schools

Greg and Dean Robert Blocker, the Henry and Lucy Moses Dean of Music at Yale

Yale School of Music Symposium elected Greg McKelvey an Honoree in 2009. This was a fitting tribute to his contribution to music and especially in schools in the USA

Greg, saxophonist, composer, conductor, and educator lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Connie, an attorney. He also has six children and seven grandchildren.

Greg has taught music in public schools for over 30 years and holds multiple degrees in music.Greg has taught at the high school level since 1978. His work in high schools has been universally regarded by parents, students, other teachers, administrators and professional musicians as 'the best there is' in jazz on the secondary level. He is is known throughout jazz band circles in the nation for developing excellence in big bands on the secondary level. His 'Green Machine' jazz band at Wilson High School was always an award winner and was the national champion in the heavyweight division in secondary jazz bands in 1990. His players have garnered full music scholarships to colleges and universities throughout the country.

His bands have performed with jazz greats like Clark Terry and Mel Brown. He and his students have had the honour to perform for Presidents Reagan and Bush.

He has earned numerous awards and commendations, including the Distinguished Alumni Service Award at Warner Pacific College. His notable accomplishments with students include second place in the Essentially Ellington 2006 contest; first, second, and third place awards in the Annual Portland Rose Festival Parade; and first place in the Nation at Musicfest USA Championships. Greg helped create the Portland Cultural Recreation Band for inner-city student musicians. He spends hours directing students with the Jazz Orchestra for Portland Metropolitan Youth Symphony and is also a Royal Rosarian for the city of Portland.