A 1951 graduate of Muskegon High, Versalle climbed to the pinnacle of vocal music, reaching the stage of New York's Metropolitan Opera House. 
     Versalle received his start in music as a member of the MHS A Cappella choir under the direction of John DeHorn.  Performing as a  member of the "Cosmops" - the Cosmopolitan Men's Choir, his rich tenor was well-known in West Michigan.
     In 1976, at the age of 42, Versalle moved to Chicago to launch his professional career in opera.  After a stint with the Chicago Lyric Opera, he moved to New York to further his study.
     A opportunity to join an opera company in Dusseldorf, Germany enhanced his reputation in music circles throughout Europe. His climb was swift, and he debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in December 1978, singing the minor role in Aida.
     Returning to Europe, he continued enhance his reputation and in 1992, he returned to New York at the request of the Metropolitan Opera, singing Tannhäuser.
     His career would end tragically on the stage the Met stage three year later.  At age 63, Versalle suffered a heart attack, fell from a ladder and died during the premiere performance of "The Makropulos Case."

Szymczyk describes himself as "a professional listener."  One of the great rock producers of all-time, he has worked with the Eagles, the Who,  Bob Seger, Joe Walsh, B.B. King and numerous other bands during a career that dates back to 1964.   A 1960 graduate of Muskegon High School, Szymczyk joined the U.S. Navy at age 18, and was chosen to become a sonar operator.
     "I guess I had pretty good ears," said Szymczyk in a 2004 article in Sound On Sound magazine, "because in the next six months they crammed about three years' worth of college-level electronics knowledge into me."
     Following four years in the service, Szymczyk planned to attend school at New York University.  While waiting for the fall semester, he landed a job interview with Don Charles Recording in New York, set up by a friend.  Instantly, he was introduced to the music industry.
     By 1968, he had become a staff producer for ABC Records.  In 1969, he produced "The Thrill is Gone" with B.B. King.  In 1970, he moved with his family to Los Angeles, then Colorado, working with the James Gang, Walsh, the J. Geils Band, and Rick Derringer along the way.
     Chosen to give the Eagles a more "rock and roll" sound, on their third album, "On The Border," he continued to work with the band through their career. While he officially retired in 1990 to focus on his family, he  still is involved in the industry, working most recently with Verve Pipe lead singer Brian Vander Ark. 

 Following graduation from Muskegon High School, Jager matriculated to University of Michigan where he played cornet for under director William Revelli. Jager then served as the Staff Arranger/Composer at the Armed Forces School of Music from from 1962 to 1965.  For the next 30 years, he taught  at Tennessee Tech University,  Along the way, he built an outstanding reputation as a composer and international lecturer, and is credited with over 140 published works of music. His is the only three-time winner of the American Bandmasters Association "Ostwald Award."  His 1984 comission, Esprit de Corps is well-known and beloved.
    

A 1982 graduate of Muskegon High School, Haglund earned a bachelor's degree in music from Western Michigan University. Named band director at Garden City High School in 1991-92 before moving on to Northern Michigan University in Marquette as trumpet instructor and director of bands.  Haglund joined "The President's Own" Marine Band in July 1992 as a Trumpeter/Cornetist.

An accomplished educator, musician and clinician, Watson is a 1994 graduate of Muskegon High School "where he developed his skills while performing with the Jazz, Marching and Concert Bands." His band, the Derico Watson Group, has  opened for James Brown, Spyro Gyra, Nelson Rangell and Earth, Wind and Fire. Watson has toured or recorded with a wide range of artists, including  with Dr. Marvin Sapp, the Jeff Coffin Mu'Tet, Stacie Orrico, Victor Wooten, Felix Pastorius, Kirk Franklin, Beverly Crawford, Prasanna.  He currently resides in Nashville, TN.

Another member of the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band from Muskegon High School, Smith joined  in July 2000. A 1994 graduate of MHS, Smith attended Western Michigan University earning a bachelor’s degree in music performance, followed by graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.   Smith has performed with the West Shore Symphony Orchestra, the Kalamazoo Symphony and the Rochester N.Y. Philharmonic.

An extended member of the Muskegon's musical Allen family, Ronald is a 2005 graduate of Muskegon.  Quickly earning a  reputation as an outstanding drummer and bass player, Allen has played and/or recorded with established artists Lalah Hathaway (daughter of soul legend Donnie Hathaway) and Chaka Khan.