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 went on                                   to  a distinguished  career as State Supervisor of Music, university band director, American Legion Band leader,                                     and Orleans  Parish band director. In 1963, he founded the first band program at Archbishop Rummel High                                              School.

                             It was at Rummel that the idea for a community band took shape. Parents proposed an “Old Timers Band” for                                        adults who had once played and still loved music. Twelve people 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 at Rummel before moving to Jefferson and Cleary playgrounds, eventually opening membership to the public. The band quickly became a community tradition, performing at shopping malls and presenting popular weekly summer “Pops” concerts.

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                                  In 1976, leadership passed to Ione Rasmussen, a pioneering musician who had performed with the all-female V                                Victoryettes and  Rhythm Maids during World War II while earning her music degrees from 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 its monthly concerts to                                                       churches, parks, nursing homes,  shopping malls, Magnolia School, and other community venues—always                                              free   to the public.

                           In 2006, Joe Berthelot, a New Orleans native and longtime Jefferson Parish band director, took the podium. A                                         graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, Joe led the band for nearly two decades before becoming                                                 Conductor Emeritus in 2026. He continues to perform with the band on euphonium.

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In 2026, the Jefferson Community Band welcomed William Hess as its permanent conductor. A respected performer and educator, William studied euphonium at the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Missouri–Kansas City, and the                                    University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, toured throughout                                      the United States and Europe, and received numerous international solo awards. He currently serves as                                                    Instructor of Euphonium and Tuba at Loyola University New Orleans and Brass Specialist for Plaquemine Parish                    Schools. In 2024, he was named LMEA District 6 Band Director of the Year.

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Today, the Jefferson Community Band continues the tradition begun in 1967: bringing quality live music to the community and keeping it free and accessible to everyone.