Memorial set for Swisher, Sequim City Band founder

 

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at the James Center for Performing Arts for Sequim resident Charles Holmes Swisher, who died June 4, 2012, at the age of 85. He was the founder and longtime director of the Sequim City Band.

 

He was born Feb. 17, 1927, in Missoula, Mont., to Archie and Helen Ruffner Swisher.

 

He attended Billings High School in Missoula, Mont. His collegiate education included elementary certification from Eastern Montana University, a bachelor’s degree in music education from Montana State University and an master’s degree in music theory and composition from Washington State University.

 

For 28 years, he led the Pullman High School choral program, assisted with band and orchestra programs, and later developed a theory class for college-bound musicians and a humanities class for the non-music student. For eight years he led the entire high school program, which included three bands, three vocal ensembles and the humanities and theory classes.

 

He married Jacqueline Gies on Dec. 2, 1946. The couple retired to Sequim in 1991. He founded the Sequim City Band in 1992 and served as its director until 2008. A rehearsal space in the James Center is named Swisher Hall in his honor.

 

The public is invited to attend the celebration of Mr. Swisher’s life and legacy. Parking for the memorial service is available off North Rhodefer Road at the James Center, 563 N. Rhodefer Road, in Sequim, or off Blake Avenue at the Water Reuse Demonstration Park. The park setting has limited permanent seating; bring lawn chairs or seating appropriate to an outdoor service.

 

Condolences may be sent to The Swisher Family, c/o Mr. & Mrs. Mike Swisher, 70 Nesting Place, Sequim, WA 98382. Linde-Price Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.