The  Jefferson Community Band was announced on February 2, 1967, in the Jefferson Times under the  direction of                              “Professor” Howard Voorhies. A native of Opelousas, Voorhies had conducted the Opelousas Band by age nine and later                       built a distinguished career as State Supervisor of Music, Band Director at the University of Southwestern Louisiana,                             leader of the American Legion Band, and band director in the Orleans Parish schools. In 1963, he also founded the first                         band program at Archbishop Rummel High School.

It was at Rummel that the idea for a community band emerged. Parents proposed an “Old Timers Band” for adults who once played and still loved music. Twelve answered the call, including Cyril Usner (father of current member Ed Usner), three teaching brothers, other parents, and the school secretary.

The group began rehearsing in the Rummel band room before moving to Jefferson and then Cleary playgrounds, where membership opened to the public. Soon, their concerts became community traditions, from local mall performances to a popular weekly summer “Pops" concert          

                         In 1976, leadership passed to Ione Rasmussen, a trailblazing musician who performed with the all-                                                        female Victoryettes and Rhythm Maids during World War II while earning her music degrees from L                                                      Loyola University. She joined the band in 1969 as a clarinet and saxophone player and later served as                                                  band director at Ridgewood Prep from 1971 to 2006. Under her leadership, the band expanded to                                                        monthly concerts at churches, parks, nursing homes, shopping malls, Magnolia School, and more—                                                       always free to the public.

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                         ​​ In 2006, New Orleans native and retired Jefferson Parish band director Joe Berthelot took the                                                           podium.  He led the band until his transition to “Conductor Emeritus” earlier this year and continues to                                                  play euphonium with us today.   

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                                 The Jefferson Community Band is thrilled to announce the appointment of William Hess as its permanent conductor                               beginning in 2026. A dynamic musician and educator, William studied euphonium performance at the University of                                 Southern Mississippi, the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory of Music, and the University of Cincinnati                               College-Conservatory of Music. He currently serves as Instructor of Euphonium and Tuba at Loyola New Orleans.

                            William’s career includes performances at Carnegie Hall and multiple European and U.S. tours. He has appeared as a guest artist and clinician at major national and international tuba-euphonium conferences and has earned numerous awards, including multiple international solo honors across three brass instruments.

In addition to his performing career, William is the band director at Meisler Middle School and was named LMEA District 6 Band Director of the Year last year. JCB is excited to welcome his artistry, leadership, and energy to the podium.