GREENVILLE – The Instrumental Music Department at Greenville High School recently received a generous donation from the Oda Family Foundation based in Greenville, Ohio. The Foundation is a philanthropic private foundation. It does not operate a consumer program but rather focuses on community-based philanthropy by providing grants, sponsorships, and financial support to local organizations, schools, and non-profits.
Chis Oda, President of the Oda Family Foundation, presented a check in the amount of $10,000. to the Greenville Instrumental Boosters during a recent meeting at GHS. Mr. Oda, speaking on behalf of the Foundation, stated that the Foundation wishes to support incoming students of the Marching Band program by offsetting the cost of participation fees and required equipment – which will help bolster the participation of students coming into the high school program from the middle school and ultimately strengthen the number of members of the Greenville HS Marching Band of Pride.
Jonathan Baldwin, who is a Wright State University Alumni, started as Greenville’s Band Director in the Summer of 2025. Mr. Baldwin has brought much enthusiasm and energy to the Marching Band program at GHS. He shared that he has been working with the students in the program to make their performances on the field and at many local events, full of energy, and something that the students can enjoy and have fun with. With this donation, he stated, “This will help to get our numbers up and help the talented kids coming up from the Jr. High Instrumental program, who may not otherwise be able to participate due to the costs involved”.
The GHS Instrumental Music Program provides many instrumental musical opportunities for students, including the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Fall Band, Symphonic Band, Philharmonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Scene, and Wavettes (color guard team). Mr. Baldwin said that they currently have around 40 members in the concert band program, with nine Seniors. The Marching Band, including the color guard (flags), is around 37 members. “With a good number of students coming up from the middle school this coming year, these funds will definitely help out with the high school program”, Mr. Baldwin stated.
The Officers of the Greenville Instrumental Boosters club were all sharing the same statements, “This couldn’t have come at any better time. We are so appreciative of Mr. Chris Oda and the Oda Family Foundation for such a generous donation. It will certainly help make the Greenville HS Band of Pride continue to grow and be a great program in the future”.
