Remembering Gary Wishmeyer

Remembering Gary Wishmeyer

It is with a sad heart that we inform you of the passing of one of our own, Gary Wishmeyer. Gary has worked for Music Travel Consultants since his retirement as the Hall of Fame Band Director at Ben Davis High School where he inspired, motivated and directed thousands of students.  Gary witnessed the impact of music group travel while traveling with his own bands and was passionate about creating those same life changing experiences for so many other school music groups throughout his career at Music Travel Consultants.  His love, laugh and mentorship had a huge impact on so many people, and our MTC family was lucky to be the recipient of Gary’s magic on a daily basis.  While we will miss his laugh and stories, we will forever feel his presence in who we are and how we do what we do.  To Gary Wishmeyer – rest in peace our friend.

Sharing Memories of Gary

At the request of Pam Wishmeyer (Gary’s wife), we are accepting comments, photos, and videos from friends and family to be used in making a memorial video of Gary.

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  • Please email your materials here. If possible, please send a photo of yourself (if commenting) and captions for any videos or photos.
  • Comment (below)

The Gary Wishmeyer Memorial Scholarship Fund

To pay tribute to Gary’s legacy of educating students and his passion for inspiring musicians, Gary’s family is establishing a scholarship to support a Ben Davis High School senior pursuing music or music education in college. To endow this fund, which will enable future students to be successful, at least $10,000 must be raised. The fund will be called the Gary Wishmeyer Memorial Scholarship Fund. As a friend, student, or colleague of Gary’s, you are invited to make a memorial donation in his honor. Donations may be made at the PayPal donate button below, or by going to http://www.wayne.k12.in.us/wtef/donate.asp. Please place “Gary Wishmeyer Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the comments section. Or, you may send a check payable to: Wayne Township Education Foundation and mail it to 1155 S. High School Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46241. Write “Gary Wishmeyer Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the memo section of your check.

On behalf of Gary’s family, as well as the students and staff in Wayne Township, thank you for your support. It is a fitting tribute to Gary’s legacy that the musicians he cared so much for will flourish and grow in his spirit.



About Gary Wishmeyer

When people thought of dedication and service to music education, they thought of Gary Wishmeyer. During his 40 year teaching career, “Wish” had earned almost every honor available to an Indiana music educator:

  • President of Indiana School Music Association
  • President of Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA)
  • ISSMA Presidential Award, 1981 and 1991
  • ISSMA Distinguished Service Award, 1982, 1987, 1991
  • Ben Davis H.S. Senior (class) Choice Award, 10 times
  • Who’s Who Among American Teachers, 12 times
  • Who’s Who in Music Education 8 times
  • Indiana Bandmasters Hall of Fame, inducted in 2006

Wish’s jazz bands were finalists at the New Jersey State, Berkley, Notre Dame and Elmhurst Jazz Festivals. Concert bands under his baton had performed at the Indiana Music Education Association State Convention and at Clowes Hall of Butler University. They had been named finalists 12 times in the ISSMA State Concert Band competition. Wish had marched with his bands 3 times each in the Tournament of Roses and Fiesta Bowl parades, in the King Orange Jamboree Parade and in President Reagan’s 1985 Inaugural Parade. His students had won the ISSMA State Marching Band Class A State Championship 7 times, and they had been Bands of America Grand National Finalists 4 times, national runner-up once and the Open Division Champion in 1983. Former students now teach music throughout the United States.

Wish had judged for Drum Corps International (DCI) and Winter Guard International (WGI), and he was in great demand as a clinician and guest conductor around the country. Recently, Wish was Supervisor of Student Teachers in Music Education for Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.


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