Jack was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, the fourth of five children. He got a “late start” in the band world, learning to play the cornet in 7th grade. After receiving his Bachelor and Master degrees in Music from Washington State University, he taught music for 37 years in the Enumclaw School District, which included directing bands at the elementary, junior, and senior high levels. Besides directing our group since its inception, Jack has directed pit orchestras for local musical theater productions and the choirs, soloists, and orchestras of the local Messiah festivals.
Jack is also active as a performer in various ways in several groups. Currently, he’s playing trumpet and cornet in the Pierce College Wind Ensemble, timpani in the Pierce College Concert Band and tuba in the Renton City Concert Band. Since retiring from teaching, he has also been serving as a bugler at Tahoma National Cemetery, playing for military honors committal services.
Jack has two grown sons, two wonderful daughters-in-law, and four fantastic grandchildren (two girls and two boys). Music is a big thing in his family. Among the eight people listed above, there are three trumpet players, a clarinet player, a French horn player, a euphonium player and a string bass player. Jack’s younger son is a band director at Schreiber High School in Port Washington, New York and directs a community band there in July. Though his older son works as a Structural Engineer, he stays active in music, playing euphonium in Brass Band Northwest. Both of his granddaughters are currently studying in Music and Music Education in college.
In his spare time, Jack enjoys trailer camping and driving around town in his 1924 Model T Ford (“Big Mike”). He also enjoys flying maneuverable kites on the ocean beach and riding his E-bike.
