The Traveling Trophy

The Traveling Trophy for the Great Lakes Invitational, given to the top score for the show, regardless of class, is named after Mr. Glen Adsit.

Glen Adsit (May 31, 1964–January 16, 2024) came to Plymouth as a middle school trombone player, and then joined the high school band under the direction of Mr. James R. Griffith. After graduation, he attended the University of Michigan as a Music Education Major. He returned to the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools as a middle school band director and eventually found his way back to the high school as an associate director with his mentor Mr. Griffith. As director of the Plymouth-Canton Marching band, Mr. Adsit led the organization to multiple state championships and back to back Bands of America Grand National Championships in 1990 and 1991.

Glen would go on to teach at the University of Michigan, the University of New Mexico, and eventually become a Distinguished Professor and Director of Bands at The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. Under Adsit’s guidance, the Hartt Wind Ensemble had the honor of performing at such prestigious venues as New York’s Carnegie Hall, the Central Conservatory in Beijing, and Harpa in Iceland. He also co-directed Hartt’s graduate instrumental conducting degree program, and led Hartt’s ensemble dedicated to new music, called Foot in the Door. Adsit considered new music one of his most cherished musical specialties.

Adsit founded the National Wind Ensemble Consortium Group and the Institute for the Advancement of Secondary and Primary Instrumental Repertoire Excellence, both of which commission top composers to write music for primary, secondary, and professional-level ensembles. In addition, he served as president of the College Band Directors National Association.

Mr. Adsit believed within music, every note had a soul and a personality of its own. It was the job of the performer to bring the notes to life. In the history of the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Marching Band, he brought the theme of The Moon and The Stars. They shine a little brighter today because of him.