Back to Message Board

Kenneth Green - Class of 1979

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 11/Jul/2025
71.223.83.255

    Kenneth Harold Green of New Windsor, NY died peacefully at his family home on July 4th, 2025 at the age of 64. Ken was born on May 26th,1961 at the West Point hospital to Harold Dawson Green and Thelma Karole Green.
He grew up in the Hudson Valley and performed with several Fife and Drum corps including The Cornwall Continentals, The Civil War Troopers, The Connecticut Rebels, The Regulators, and The Rough Riders. He graduated high school from the Newburgh Free Academy class of 1979, and pursued his love of music earning degrees from Orange County Community College, the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, and the University of Kansas.
While obtaining his masters degree, Ken taught at the University of Kansas for 9 years. He then dedicated 30 years of service as the Associate Director of Bands and Professor of Percussion at Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
During his tenure in Kansas, he married the love of his life, Cinda on March 17, 1990 and they raised their two sons, Kenny and Kevin in Nachitoches, Louisiana.
Ken was the President of the Louisiana Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society, a member of the Percussive Arts Societies Marching Percussion Committee, Vice President of the International Association of Traditional Drummers, and Principal Timpanist with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra.
Throughout his life, Ken was widely recognized as a performer, conductor, educator, arranger, and he was in great demand as a clinician, consultant, and adjudicator. His principal instructors were Nick Attanasio, Harold Green, John S. Pratt, Jim Petercsak, Tony Maiello, Joe Morello, George Boberg, and Allen Benson.
His influence shaped generations of musicians and educators who continue to carry on his legacy in classrooms, studios and performance halls around the world.
He was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Karole, as well as his beloved wife, Cinda.
Ken is survived by his 2 sons, Kenny and Kevin Green and a lifetime of dear friends and colleagues, whom he considered family.
The wake will be held Thursday July 17 2025 from 4:00PM - 7:00PM at the Hudson Valley Funeral Home- 239 Quassaick Ave, New Windsor New York.
His funeral will be Friday July 18 2025 at 10:00AM at the Vails Gate United Methodist Church - 854 Blooming Grove Turnpike Route 94, Vails Gate, New York.
A reception will immediately follow his funeral at the Temple Hill Tavern and Catering - 171 Temple Hill Road Vails Gate, New York. All are strongly encouraged to bring Fifes and Drums for a jam session during the reception. Those who are unable to bring a drum are encouraged to bring sticks and pads.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Company of Fifers and Drummers at https://companyoffifeanddrum.org/about/donations