NOC Roustabouts to honor Wilma Harman at Reunion

Saturday, April 6, marks the date for the upcoming Roustabouts Alumni Reunion. It will take place in Blackwell at the new Event Center on the Kay County Fairgrounds. Doors open at 5 p.m. with a catered meal at 6 p.m. Reservations are $20 per person. All Roustabouts Alumni and friends of the group who wish to attend should contact Alumni representative Kris DeYoe Vickery at 281-682-3189 or Cheryl Harvey Marquardt at 580-363-7523. Deadline for reservations is March 29.

This year the Alumni will honor Wilma Harman for 30 years of working with the group. Wilma, who resides in Blackwell, was a piano instructor for NOC and worked with two groups within Roustabouts, the Nocturnes (ladies’ group) and Northern Knights (men’s group). She also traveled with them abroad and around the state playing electric keyboard and bass. Her contribution to Roustabouts helped make it the successful group it is today. While working at NOC, Wilma taught private voice, piano and organ in her home music studio where her students were always welcome. Wilma has inspired and encouraged music students of all ages to better themselves and make a difference wherever they are.

This reunion marks 55 years of Roustabouts. The group’s founder, Bill Heilmann, who passed away in 2016, started the traveling music troupe at Northern Oklahoma College in 1964 to promote public relations for the college. Roustabouts has since performed as Friendship Ambassadors in Russia, Romania, the United Kingdom, Washington, DC, various states including Middle Schools and High Schools all over Oklahoma.

Following Bill Heilmann’s retirement, his son, Dineo Heilmann took the reins and continued the legacy of sharing quality entertainment in schools as well as providing performances on two cruises. Dineo retired in 2015 after leading the talented group for 15 years. Currently the show troupe is under the direction of Dr. Eddie Dixon.