John M. Wetherington in 50 words: Husband, father, son, friend, mentor, listener, dog-dad, band director, conductor, trombonist, appreciator of quality, detail-conscious, collector of trombones, seeker of equity, practitioner of kindness and prayer, holder of integrity and hope, traveler, musician, experienced leader and collaborator. Student of music, teaching, conducing, and leadership.
John has spent the last 30 years helping young adults discover who they are and encouraging them to be the best version of themselves. Having previously conducted the Tacoma Debut Winds for the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association (TYSA), John is honored to be the current conductor of TYSA’s Tacoma Wind Philharmonic. John is also the Music Director and Conductor of the South Sound Symphonic Band, a community band made up of 70 adult musicians. He is an active guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician.
John holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from PLU, a Master’s of Science Degree in Music Education from Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, and a Master’s of Arts Degree from PLU in Educational Leadership and Administration. He has taught band at all levels from beginners to university, high school orchestra, has taught in the music department at PLU, and for 22 years directed the PLU football Pep Band. (Go Lutes!)
John currently serves as the Student Events Coordinator for the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA.) In this capacity, he oversees WMEA All-State and NAfME Northwest Honor Ensembles and the WMEA/WIAA State Solo & Ensemble Contest. He has been a conference presenter, All-State Wind Ensemble organizing chair, regional festival host, and Past President of the Mountain Region. He is pleased to help support the music students and teachers of the entire state of Washington through WMEA’s goals of service, inclusion, advocacy, and organizational vitality.
John plays and collects vintage trombones with particular interest in early Vincent Bach, H. N. White (King), and Earl Williams instruments. He considers himself lucky to be the current steward of four Earl Williams trombones including one of thirteen model 10 bass trombones ever built, and the model 6 tenor trombone previously owned by Milt Bernhart.
John tries very hard to put his family first—he enjoys camping, travel, board games, and watching the yard crew mow the lawn at his condo on Spanaway Lake where makes his home with his wife Katie, daughter Brontë, and dogs Jackson and Charlie May.