Sequim City Band

Sequim, Washington, USA, 98382

Our Current Director

Photograph courtesy of Patsy Mattingley

Our Current Conductor

Our cuurrent 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.

Our Founding Director

Photograph courtesy of Vic Smith

Our founding 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.

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