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June 2019
Our founding director, Victor (Vic) Jowders, retired from his post after over two decades of leading us. It was a wonderful ride! Now Vic gets to play in the percussion section full time as Bill Klouse takes over the podium. Here is a copy of the special song we played to honor Vic at his retirement party.
Lyrics were written and sung by Sharon Collins.
Spring 2019
We made the news! The New Horizons International organization features an article about our retiring original director, Vic Jowders, and our band in "Congratulations - SPSNHB celebrates 20 years!" in the Spring 2019 Newsletter. Check it out!
and, remember,
Our director, Vic Jowders, was the recipient of the Olympia Masterworks Choral Ensemble's 2018 "Salute to the Arts" award! Following is an excerpt from the Ensemble's website:
photo by Ana Martin
2018 Salute Honoree Victor Jowders
 Masterworks Choral Ensemble recognizes Victor Jowders as our 2018 Salute to the Arts honoree for his lifetime contributions to music in our community. Mr. Jowders is currently the director of New Horizons Band of Olympia. His award will be presented at Masterworks April 14, 2018 concert, "Hidden Musical Figures: Women Composers", at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.
New Horizons Music Programs provide entry points to music making for adults, including those with no musical experience and those who were active in school music programs but have been inactive for a long time. Many adults would like an opportunity to learn music in a group setting similar to that offered in schools, but the last entry point in most cases was elementary school. Data shows that for most of the last century, about 15-20 % of high school students nationally participated in music. From that, New Horizons estimates that at least 80% of the adult population would benefit from beginning instruction in order to participate in music making. New Horizons music programs serve that need.
Mr. Jowders graduated from WSU with a B.A in music education. He then began his teaching career in Walla Walla in 1959. He went on to become the instrumental music instructor for Tacoma Public Schools where he taught from 1965-1989 and again for the 1994-95 season. He served as WA Music Educators Association Junior High Representative from 1964-66 and was host of WMEA's All-State-Band in 1988. He is an excellent percussionist and played with the Tacoma Concert Band from 1984-2000. He was director and a member of the Capital Clarinet Quartet from 1994-2004. He was a member of a local Brass Ensemble from 2003-2004 and played a mean trombone in a separate ensemble during that same period. Vic has directed church choirs in Walla Walla, Milton-Freewater OR, Lakewood, Tacoma and Puyallup.
Way to go, Vic! We're so proud of you!
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