FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Anne Proescholdt
Phone: 608-850-3566
Web: wsmamusic.org
WAUNAKEE, Wis. (Oct. 14, 2026) – Former Chippewa Falls High School Marching Cardinals director Douglas Greenhalgh (1957–2005) will be posthumously inducted into the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) Marching Band Hall of Fame, which recognizes contributions made by individuals to Wisconsin’s marching activities. The ceremony will take place during the WSMA State Marching Band Championships at the UW-Whitewater Forrest Perkins Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17.
“WSMA is proud to honor Douglas Greenhalgh in our Marching Band Hall of Fame. His positive impact continues to be a source of inspiration in our statewide marching community,” said WSMA Executive Director Laurie Fellenz.
Greenhalgh left an enduring mark on Wisconsin’s marching community through his exceptional musicianship, passion for the art and dedication to students. As director of the Chippewa Falls Marching Cardinals from 1983 until his passing in 2005, he helped establish the ensemble as a respected leader in the Wisconsin marching community. The Marching Cardinals were among the original participants in the WSMA State Marching Band Championships and consistently achieved excellence in competition. The WSMA Class AAAA Best Visual Presentation Award stands as a lasting tribute to Greenhalgh’s contributions and passion for the marching arts.
Greenhalgh’s greatest legacy, however, is the thousands of students and educators he inspired through his enthusiasm, encouragement and remarkable ability to make every student feel valued. His impact was profoundly evident following his tragic passing in October 2005, when members of 25 marching bands gathered in full uniform to honor him. His memory lives on through the Greenhalgh Memorial Music Endowment, the countless lives he touched, and the many Wisconsin marching programs shaped by his influence.
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Founded in 1932, Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a non-profit service organization with more than 1,000 member public and private schools. Students from member schools are eligible to participate in WSMA programs, such as District and State Music Festivals, Concert Festivals, State Honors Music Project, State Marching Band Championships, and Student Composition Project. WSMA is governed by a board of directors made up of superintendents, principals and other officers from across the state. WSMA believes music is a human need and that all children have the right to experience all that music offers them.
