Ray Makeever

Teacher 1950-1984 Ray Makeever served as director of bands at Ottawa High from 1950 until his retirement in 1984. When he took over the band program in 1950 there were only 27 members. Ray Makeever eventually persuaded the OTHS school board to include band in the regular school schedule. The band grew to over 160 members by the 1970s. He received a master’s degree in music from Northwestern University. In 1965 he was the sole recipient of the MAC Award presented annually to outstanding high school band directors in Illinois. He served as state president of the Illinois Music Educators Association from 1973-75. In 1983, the Ottawa music p r ogram won first place in the Illinois High School Association state competition. During the “Makeever” era, the OTHS band won first place at the Illinois State Fair each of the 23 years it appeared there. On six separate occasions, Ottawa won the Illinois State Fair’s Grand Trophy, symbolic of the most outstanding musical organization. The OTHS bands lead by Ray Makeever embarked on 14 tours presenting concerts in 40 states, the nation’s capital, and Canada. All six sons of Ray and Elaine Makeever have been, or still are, involved with music.