Our director is Mr. Chuck Swisher. His
musical roots started in Missoula, Montana with band and choir at Billings High
School. Collegiate education included Elementary Certification at Eastern
Montana University, a B.A. in Music Education from Montana State University
concluding with an M.A. in Music Theory and Composition from Washington State
University.
Mr. Swisher's teaching positions began at Thompson Falls, Montana with 4th grade through high school music
classes. For 28 years, Chuck led the Pullman, Washington High School choral
program, assisted with band and orchestra programs, and later developed a theory
class for college-bound musicians. Mr. Swisher also developed a humanities
class for the non-music student. The final eight years, Chuck led the
whole high school program, which included three bands, three vocal ensembles,
and the Theory and Humanities classes.
Mr. Swisher's professional memberships
include the American Choral Directors Association, the Music Educators National Conference, and the Retired Teachers Association.
Chuck Swisher has been composing and
arranging music from age fourteen. These arrangements include many choral
works, concert band, swing band, and jazz band compositions and arrangements.
Mr. Swisher's groups have received many Superior
Awards (the highest rating) over the years in competitions, but he states the best awards were
watching his students' successes in music performance or teaching, as they became
professional musicians.
Chuck also states he's had many happy
performances with wonderful kids, but the happiest of all have been with the
Sequim City Band in Sequim, Washington.
Our Associate
Conductor
Our associate conductor is Mr.
Sanford Feibus. Sanford and his wife Ila, have lived in Sequim
since 2002.
Sanford has a Master's Degree in
music education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. He taught
instrumental and vocal music in Pennsylvania and Arizona for 39 years and
was the director of the Fort Belvoir Men's Chorus in the Army for special
services.
Sanford plays all the brass
instruments. He played tuba for circuses, French horn for the Army,
and trumpet and trombone in big bands. He is presently the leader of
the Stardust Big Band.
Sanford is continually impressed by
the quality of musicianship on the Peninsula and also by the strong
support from the community for music.
Sanford and his wife Ila enjoy their
chickens, fruit trees, gardening , and the great attitude around Sequim.
Photograph courtesy of Vic Smith
