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 Town 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 1                          963, 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” series. 

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                         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.