The South Sound Symphonic Band started in 1982, as the Federal Way Community Band, by Deanna Avery to meet the need for a local, adult community band. After a name change in 2002, the South Sound Symphonic Band focused its mission on supporting the community with regular performances and annual student scholarships.
Today, the band serves the community through three major programs:
- Music Appreciation through Community Involvement
- Music Excellence through the Thomas E. Anderson Scholarship
- Music Education through Professional Development
SSSB is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded by member dues, community grants, sponsorships, and most importantly, donations from our gracious patrons. The band performs four concerts each year and consists of amateur and semiprofessional musicians who enjoy the challenge of rehearsing and performing to high musical standards. Many of our members are also music educators allowing the band to serve as a platform for continuing education.
Programs
Music Appreciation through Community Involvement
The South Sound Symphonic Band performs for the community of the South Puget Sound region of Washington State. This geographic region extends east to west from Buckley to Steliacom and north to south, Federal Way to Eatonville. SSSB performs four free concerts annually in different regional concert halls to accommodate our patrons. The band works with youth bands, local professional musicians, and community organizations. We have held joint performances with the Puget Sound Youth Wind Ensemble (PSYWE), Morris Northcutt (trumpet), Rebecca Ford (trombone), Dr. Merilyn Jacobson (piano), Vivace! Cathedrals Choir, VFW Post 2224.
Music Excellence through the Thomas E. Anderson Student Scholarship
Starting with Tom Anderson as conductor, SSSB has been awarding scholarships of musical excellence to high school students in the region. The scholarship program was dedicated to Tom for his extensive efforts in advocating music in schools and the community. The scholarship is awarded annually to a high school student who demonstrates a high level of musical excellence and whose life has been impacted by learning an instrument. The recipient rehearses and performs with the band as a requirement for receiving the award.
Music Education through Professional Development
The band is proud to be an advocate of performing arts and music education. About half of our members are educators in the region, most being music educators. The Band provides continuing education for music educators through rehearsals and performances as a qualifying clock-hour organization with WMEA. Educators flip roles in rehearsals by learning through experience and musical direction. Many members have expressed taking methods and practices learned in rehearsal back to the classroom. The band invites guest conductors to rehearse and perform on occasion – including Dr. Ed Powell (PLU) and Bob Rink (WMEA Hall of Fame). The band most recently launched the Tacoma Conducting Workshop with Tacoma Community College’s John Falskow, Director of Bands.