About

Founder Gail F. Woolley

About The Lima Area Concert Band

The Lima Area Concert Band performed its first concert in 1971 under the direction of Gail F. Woolley, Sr., under the name of the Million Dollar Band.  In 1972, the band’s name was changed to the Lima Area Concert Band and became an incorporated non-profit organization.

The band is comprised of seventy volunteer musicians who all share the love of music. We have come together to present “World Class Music in Your Own Backyard” for more than 50 years! The members of the LACB are a living testimony that music truly is a lifetime activity. It is a means of expression that encourages personal challenge, camaraderie, well spent leisure time, and just plain fun. It is a shining example of the value of music education in our schools.

We invite you to join us in a formal concert setting at one of our subscription concerts, or spend a relaxing summer evening enjoying one of our informal community concerts.

Our Conductor, John R. Hill

Our conductor, John Hill, graduated with Music Education Degree from Bowling Green State University in 1969. He taught instrumental music in Indian Lake Schools from 1969-1973 and taught instrumental Music in Riverside (DeGraff, Ohio) Schools from 1973-1975. John played Trumpet in the Lima Symphony for over 5 years and was a solo trumpeter with LACB for about 5 years.

John has also worked in Music and Activity Therapy at Lima State Hospital, Oakwood Forensic Center and Oakwood Correctional Facility for a total of 29 years. He has also worked as a Mental Health Tech at Lutheran Social Services and Coleman Professional Services for over 10 years.

John has been the Associate Conductor and Conductor of the Lima Area Concert Band for over 30 years. John is married to Teresa Hill for more than 20 years. John and Teresa have a son, Timothy, who is pursuing a degree at The Ohio State University in Columbus, studying psychology.  

Meet The Lima Area Concert Band

Saxophones

Jeremy Welker – Lima
Retired Lima Firefighter
Computer Technician

Ken Scherer – New Knoxville
United States Air Force, Retired
Web Programmer

Nate Higgins – Lima
Teacher, Shawnee High School

Alecia Carpenter – Lima

Jonathan Hartman – Lima

Isaiah Wolfert – Lima

Terry Liette – Coldwater

Clarinets

Marilyn Roth-Basinger – Lima
Shawnee High School Choral Director, retired
Adjunct Professor O.N.U.

Margaret Lewis – Lima
Accompanist, Choral Assistant, Shawnee High School

Mary Jean Miller – Elida
Gomer Elementary Music Teacher, retired

Jane Stevens – Lima
Tax Examiner, Ohio Department of Taxation

Beth Arheit-McCarty
High School Teacher, retired

Misty Sager – Columbus Grove
Intervention Specialist, McComb High School

Charlie Doepker – Ottawa
Army Bandsman, retired

Janis Griffin – St. Marys
Choral Director, Spencerville, High School

Bill Trame – Findlay
Retired Bookkeeper

Rebekah Ricker – Spencerville
Private Music Instructor

Beth Fair – Celina

Flutes

Lucy Altstaetter – Ada
Ohio Northern University, Retired

Judy Gilbert – Lima
BP Refinery and Chemical Plant, Retired

Stacee Brown – Lima
Insurance Agent
Private Teacher

Lora Dirmeyer – Elida
Lima Memorial Health System, Labor and Delivery Nurse

Linda Holman – Elida
Substitute Teacher, retired
Church Organist

Rhonda Beach – Elida

Sue Backs – St. Marys
Personnel Director

Dan Cook – Lima
College Student

Brianna Ferris – Bluffton

Bassoons & Oboes

Marcy Reeves – Lima
Special Education Teacher – Bath Elementary

Angie Herzog – Lima
Director, Marimor Industries, retired

Mary Schumm – St. Marys
Guidance Counselor, retired

Vickie Barteck – Ottawa
Multi-Disabilities Teacher

Trumpets

Larry Honegger – Lima
Art Teacher, Shawnee High School retired

Dan Altstaetter – Ada
Office Manager, retired

Rich Phillips – Celina
Senior Regional Underwriting Manager, retired

Chad Higgins – Spencerville
Veterinarian, Amanda Animal Hospital

Jennifer Hahn – Deshler
Administrative Assistant

Sheri Woodland – Ada
Certified Nurse’s Assistant

Matt Baker – Celina
Warehouse Technician

Brian Reeves – Lima
Band Director, Hardin Northern

Gunnar Hudson – Lima

Horns

Marcia Laukhuf – Lima
Medical Technician, retired

Nancy Gesler – Lima
Tax Professional

John Mulder – Lima
Music Teacher, retired

Denise D’Arca – Ada
Professor of Music, Emerita

Megan Palte – Ottawa
College Student

Cassie Wilson – Alger
Pool Manager, Village of Ada

Tim Presar – Cridersville

Trombones

John Rezabek – Wapakoneta
Engineer

Dale Laukhuf – Lima
Band Director Retired
O.N.U. Adjunct Professor
L.S.O

Gus Steinke – Lima
Engineer

Ian Steinke – Lima
Assembly, Marimor Industries

Cathryn Beck Nihiser
Music Teacher, retired

Dean Schweizer – Celina
Self Employed, Celina Music

Becky Anderson – St. Marys
PT General Music Teacher, retired

Robert Curry – Delphos

Euphoniums

Thomas Wiese – Lima
Engineer, retired

Scott Rogers – Defiance
Band Director, retired
BGSU Administration
L.S.O.

Kelly Salerno – Lima

Tubas

Michelle Milazzo – Lima
Human Relation

David Harris* – Elida
Band Director, Lima City Schools
*Student Performer Mentor

Benton Harris* – Elida
*Student Performer, Elida High School

Nathaniel Good – St. Marys
Student

Percussion

Nick Baird – Minster
Band Director, Minster High School

Tate Stewart – Lima
Student

Jesus Delgado – Lima
Ford Lima Engine Plant

Gage Hoehn – Ottawa

Elyse Swihart – Lima

David Harper – Lima