Scholarship founded in memory of Glenview music store owner
William D. Olive Music Scholarship will help young musicians pursue a career in music
The family of the late William D. Olive, founder and owner of Drum Specialist, a family-owned music store in Glenview that served the community for 41 years, has donated more than $10,000 in musical instruments and equipment to The Salvation Army’s “Let the Music Begin” program. The family also created the William D. Olive Music Scholarship, which honors Olive, who passed away in 2007.
“My dad was a gifted musician. In high school, he was selected to be in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra when the CYSO made its debut performance in 1947,” explained Steven Olive, William’s son. “Besides being a gifted musician, he always had a soft spot for the financially disadvantaged who wanted to better themselves. This scholarship will assist those students who want to pursue a career in music who might not otherwise have the funds to do so.”
The William D. Olive Music Scholarship will award at least $1,000 annually to the Let the Music Begin program for student musicians within the program who meet the high academic and musical standards to support their musical endeavors. Students must apply the scholarship toward private lessons, band camp, instruments and music equipment.
The first William D. Olive Music Scholarship recipient is Clayton Cox, 17, a gifted musician who performs with The Salvation Army Oakbrook Terrace Corps. Cox is a volunteer music instructor at The Salvation Army’s summer music camps. On Saturday, May 19, Steven Olive presented Cox with the scholarship award and a new coronet at the annual “Let the Music Begin” concert at the Mayfair Community Church Corps Community Center in Chicago.
The instruments donated by the Olive family will be used by the youth in The Salvation Army’s Let the Music Begin program. Let the Music Begin promotes the development of the mind and soul through musical instruction for young people in elementary through high school. The program offers classes and performance opportunities for students of all skill levels in brass band, keyboard, piano, singing and other musical disciplines.
“The Salvation Army is so grateful for the generosity of Mr. Steven Olive and his support of our music students,” said Vernon Lawson, director of music for The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division. “This is a truly meaningful way to honor the memory of his father, who dedicated his entire life to music and to aspiring musicians. He would be so proud to know that his legacy continues to impact the lives of talented young people.”
William Olive made a career of his love of music. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in music from Northwestern University. He opened Drum Specialist in 1960 and operated it until 2001. He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Northbrook, where he also played timpani with the church choir.
The Salvation Army is the largest social service organization in the world and the single largest direct provider of social services in Chicago and the state of Illinois. The Army operates 200 points of entry in neighborhoods across the greater Chicago area, providing disaster relief, shelter, meals, rehabilitation programs, child care and Head Start, senior services and more.
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