ADMINISTRATION
Performance History:
Santa Clara Vanguard, B Corps – 1970-`1972 – Cymbals
Santa Clara Vanguard – 1972-1979 – Bass Drum, Timpanist
Instructional History
Santa Clara Vanguard – 1980 – Timpani Instructor
Conquistadors Drum & Bugle Corps – 1979 – 1980 – Drum Instructor
Valley Fever Drum & Bugle Corps – 1981- 1984 – Drum Instructor
Administration History
Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets – 1987- 1995 – Corps Director
Santa Clara Vanguard – 1995 – 1999 – Corps Director
Glassmen – 2001 – 2002 – Tour Director
Spirit of Atlanta – 20014 – 20015 – Corps Director
Phantom Regiment – 2007 – 2009 – Tour Director
Sacramento Mandarins – 2015- present – Corps Director
Special Achievements
2023 Drum Corps International, World Class Director of the Year
2018 Santa Clara Vanguard Hall of Fame
2009 California Color Guard Circuit, Warren Tom Award
2008 est. Vanguard Cadets, JW Koester – Rookie of the Year Award
1979 Santa Clara Vanguard, Mike LaPorta Memorial Award
JW brings leadership, education, and a spirit to his organizations while earning the respect of those he works with. He genuinely cares about everyone that is a part of the drum corps community and nurtures
relationships within the programs he leads.
With the participation of his extremely supportive family, he has dedicated his life to this activity and has enriched thousands of lives through his involvement with drum corps. His extensive history speaks volumes.
