Terry Ruehmer taught vocal music in the ROWVA School District for 34 years. He directed 57 shows with Choral Dynamics after joining in 1982.
Those who knew Ruehmer described him as the master of the old, hulking ROWVA sound system.
Three years after his passing, ROWVA is honoring the longtime teacher by dedicating a new, $23,000 sound system in Ruehmer’s name.
Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday in the ROWVA Cafetorium, the ceremony is the result of the district’s “Lift Their Voices” project that raised funds to purchase the new system.
ROWVA Public Schools Foundation Board member Mary Stiers tells Galesburg’s Morning News on WGIL the project started with a request for money on Facebook.
“Then, kind of it was a joint effort between Choral Dynamics and the ROWVA Public Schools Foundation,” Stiers says,”which is kind of a neat thing when you think of Terry because those were his two big interests.”
The joint effort raised about half of the $23,000 needed to fund the project. The rest came from the community.
Tim Holmes grew up in the ROWVA community and is an instructor and director with the Performing Arts Academy of Galesburg. He remembered nothing but kindness about Ruehmer.
“It’s such a nice legacy because he kept musicals and things going for such a long time,” Holmes says. “I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now without him, so I can’t think of a better way to really honor his memory.”
The dedication is scheduled ahead of the 5th and 6th grade music program.
