Jennifer Olis named Grandview Heights Schools director of bands

Like many music educators, Grandview Heights Schools' new director of bands was inspired by the school band directors she came in contact as a student.

But Jennifer Olis didn't tell her family about it.

That's because her parents were her inspiration.

"I grew up with both parents serving as band directors," Olis said. "My mom, Susan Climer, was my band director when I attend middle school and high school in Athens before she became a principal. And my dad, John Climer, was the band director at Ohio University and just retired as the band director at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

"They inspired me with their love of music and their passion for using music as a means of educating their students. That's the spirit I try to bring to the students I teach."

The school board June 15 approved hiring Olis, who previously served as director of bands in the Logan-Hocking School District.

She replaces Chris Herrmann, who left at the end of last school year to accept a position in educational technology at the higher education level.

Olis will receive a salary of $76,679, not including benefits.

"Ever since I graduated with a Master of Music degree in 2017 from Ohio State, I've been interested in finding a position in the central Ohio area," she said.

Olis and her husband, Michael, live in Pickerington with their 2-year-old daughter, Molly.

"My husband works in the Columbus area, and I wanted to work closer to home," she said. "When I saw that the Grandview position was opening up, I knew it was a place I wanted to be.

"Grandview is well known for being a community with a strong band program and one that's so well-supported by the community. It has that reputation among music educators."

More than 60 students will be part of the 2022 GHHS marching band, an impressive percentage given that a typical graduating class at the high school totals about 70 or so students, she said.

"The level of participation is amazing," Olis said.

Students are learning more than a marching routine when they join the instrumental music program at school, she said.

"You have to learn your individual part, but you're also learning to work toward the greater whole, something that is about more than just yourself," Olis said. "That's going to be something they will use no matter where their life and career takes them. Most students who are in band are not going to pursue  music much further beyond high school, but maybe through the band program you can keep their interest in music alive so they might want to continue it even if it's just as a side interest."

"We are really excited to have Jennifer Olis on board," said Rob Brown, who has served as high school principal but is preparing to take on a new role in the district as chief student growth and development officer.

Brown and new principal Sam Belk both participated in the hiring process.

"Jennifer comes to us with four years experience in Logan-Hocking. She's also a 'Graduate Conducting Teaching Follow/Associate' at Ohio State University and spent time as an instrumental music teacher (2009-2915) in Wisconsin," Brown said.

"She is intelligent, hard-working, student-centered, flexible and very positive."

Eight candidates were interviewed from a pool of 72 applicants, Brown said. Three returned for a final round of interviews, which included spending an hour with students where they conducted a lesson and answered questions.

"Overall, the students felt Jennifer would be the best fit, which aligned with the administrative decision," he said. "Her references were flawless, and she really connected with the staff, parents, and especially the students."

Grandview's pre-band camp rehearsals are scheduled for July 18-22.

"We're working on where we will be actually holding the pre-camp sessions while the high school renovation continues," she said. "One of the main tasks we have is figuring out where we will be able to hold rehearsals and store instruments since the high school renovation won't be completed until the end of the year.

"It's going to be so exciting to move into our  new renovated space in the winter. It's especially going to be so nice for our students. They've had to cope with a lot of moving around and having to be flexible over the last couple years."

The 2022 season will largely follow the initial plans that Herrmann already had put into place, she said.

The band camp is scheduled to take place July 24-29 at Otterbein University.

"That's a change from past years, when the camp was held at Wittenberg University in Springfield. With everyone still coming out of the pandemic, it was a little easier logistically to hold it closer to home," Olis said.

afroman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekAfroman

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Jennifer Olis named Grandview Heights Schools director of bands