Woods Dr. Jon R. Woods, 76, of Columbus, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2015. He was born on January 22, 1939 in Barnesboro, PA to the late Russell and Marjorie (Moore) Woods. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Catherine Elizabeth. Jon was a music education professor in the School of Music at The Ohio State University for 38 years. He served as the Director for The Ohio State University Marching Band for 28 years, prior to that, he was the Associate Director for The OSUMB for 10 years under Paul Droste. Jon taught and embodied the Tradition of Excellence for which "The Best Damn Band In The Land" is known. He truly believed that to be its greatest tradition. He was once asked about his legacy and responded that, "My students are my legacy." Jon loved all music, but was particularly fond of Big Band music. After retirement, he enjoyed playing in "Trombones Plus" and spending time with his family. Jon was a passionate, selfless educator who will be greatly missed by his wife of 36 years, Donna (Greer) Woods; his children, Jon Stephen (Katrina) Woods and Victoria Alexis Woods and fiance, Jason Peckins; and his much loved and doted upon granddaughter, Reese Catherine Woods. The family will receive friends from 1-3:45 p.m. Sunday, September 20 at St. John Arena. A celebration of Jon's life will take place immediately following at 4 p.m. with Community Chaplain Gwyn Stetler officiating. Free parking will be available at the St. John Arena lots. Anyone attending is asked to bring their favorite written story or photo of or with Jon to give to the Woods Family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dr. Jon R. Woods TBDBITL Marching Band Director's Fund #647693, The Ohio State University Foundation, 1480 W. Lane Avenue, Columbus 43221 or to the Gladden Community House, 188 Hawkes Avenue, Columbus 43223. Arrangements by Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Road.
Published in The Columbus Dispatch on Sept. 16, 2015
As hundreds of musicians he had led gathered at Ohio Stadium on Saturday for their annual alumni performance and reunion, longtime Ohio State University band director Jon Woods let go.
Woods, who was the longest-serving director in the band’s 137-year history, died Saturday morning after battling Parkinson’s disease and dementia in recent years. He was 76.
He became assistant band director at OSU in 1974 and director in 1984. He retired in 2011.
Woods was regarded as an innovator, introducing the computer-designed halftime-show drills that have been refined to become world-renowned for their showmanship.
Jonathan Woods, longest-serving director of Ohio State marching band, dies at 76
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS Associated Press SEPTEMBER 12, 2015 — 4:55PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jonathan Woods, the longest-serving director of Ohio State University's marching band and a music professor who helped lead the group into the computer age, died Saturday, the university confirmed. Woods was 76.
Woods spent 28 years directing the marching band until his retirement after the 2011-12 academic year. Then and now, fans often refer to the band by the initials TBDBITL, for "The Best Damn Band in the Land."
Woods' innovations, including using computers to chart band formations in the 1980s, won awards for the band and Woods himself, including the 2010 College Band Directors Association Lifetime Achievement Award. He took the band to Washington to march in four presidential inaugural parades.
"Woods was dedicated to precision performance on the field, and this remains the hallmark of the Ohio State Band," the university said in a statement on his death.
Woods, who went by Jon, became assistant band director in 1974, and was named director in 1984.
"Whether teaching students, leading a memorable halftime show or assembling alumni from across the globe, Jon has earned a reputation of eminence," former longtime Ohio State president Gordon Gee said in 2011 in announcing Woods' retirement.
Word of his death spread through Ohio Stadium Saturday where the football team hosted the University of Hawaii.
"Thank You Dr. Woods," said a video display with his picture. Fans were asked to honor him by singing along to the band's rendition of school song "Carmen Ohio."
Woods received his bachelor's degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, his master's degree from Penn State University, and his doctorate from the University of Michigan, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
Published in The Columbus Dispatch on Sept. 16, 2015
As hundreds of musicians he had led gathered at Ohio Stadium on Saturday for their annual alumni performance and reunion, longtime Ohio State University band director Jon Woods let go.
Woods, who was the longest-serving director in the band’s 137-year history, died Saturday morning after battling Parkinson’s disease and dementia in recent years. He was 76.
He became assistant band director at OSU in 1974 and director in 1984. He retired in 2011.
Woods was regarded as an innovator, introducing the computer-designed halftime-show drills that have been refined to become world-renowned for their showmanship.
Jonathan Woods, longest-serving director of Ohio State marching band, dies at 76
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS Associated Press SEPTEMBER 12, 2015 — 4:55PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jonathan Woods, the longest-serving director of Ohio State University's marching band and a music professor who helped lead the group into the computer age, died Saturday, the university confirmed. Woods was 76.
Woods spent 28 years directing the marching band until his retirement after the 2011-12 academic year. Then and now, fans often refer to the band by the initials TBDBITL, for "The Best Damn Band in the Land."
Woods' innovations, including using computers to chart band formations in the 1980s, won awards for the band and Woods himself, including the 2010 College Band Directors Association Lifetime Achievement Award. He took the band to Washington to march in four presidential inaugural parades.
"Woods was dedicated to precision performance on the field, and this remains the hallmark of the Ohio State Band," the university said in a statement on his death.
Woods, who went by Jon, became assistant band director in 1974, and was named director in 1984.
"Whether teaching students, leading a memorable halftime show or assembling alumni from across the globe, Jon has earned a reputation of eminence," former longtime Ohio State president Gordon Gee said in 2011 in announcing Woods' retirement.
Word of his death spread through Ohio Stadium Saturday where the football team hosted the University of Hawaii.
"Thank You Dr. Woods," said a video display with his picture. Fans were asked to honor him by singing along to the band's rendition of school song "Carmen Ohio."
Woods received his bachelor's degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, his master's degree from Penn State University, and his doctorate from the University of Michigan, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
Woods Dr. Jon R. Woods, 76, of Columbus, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2015. He was born on January 22, 1939 in Barnesboro, PA to the late Russell and Marjorie (Moore) Woods. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Catherine Elizabeth. Jon was a music education professor in the School of Music at The Ohio State University for 38 years. He served as the Director for The Ohio State University Marching Band for 28 years, prior to that, he was the Associate Director for The OSUMB for 10 years under Paul Droste. Jon taught and embodied the Tradition of Excellence for which "The Best Damn Band In The Land" is known. He truly believed that to be its greatest tradition. He was once asked about his legacy and responded that, "My students are my legacy." Jon loved all music, but was particularly fond of Big Band music. After retirement, he enjoyed playing in "Trombones Plus" and spending time with his family. Jon was a passionate, selfless educator who will be greatly missed by his wife of 36 years, Donna (Greer) Woods; his children, Jon Stephen (Katrina) Woods and Victoria Alexis Woods and fiance, Jason Peckins; and his much loved and doted upon granddaughter, Reese Catherine Woods. The family will receive friends from 1-3:45 p.m. Sunday, September 20 at St. John Arena. A celebration of Jon's life will take place immediately following at 4 p.m. with Community Chaplain Gwyn Stetler officiating. Free parking will be available at the St. John Arena lots. Anyone attending is asked to bring their favorite written story or photo of or with Jon to give to the Woods Family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dr. Jon R. Woods TBDBITL Marching Band Director's Fund #647693, The Ohio State University Foundation, 1480 W. Lane Avenue, Columbus 43221 or to the Gladden Community House, 188 Hawkes Avenue, Columbus 43223. Arrangements by Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Road.
Published in The Columbus Dispatch on Sept. 16, 2015
As hundreds of musicians he had led gathered at Ohio Stadium on Saturday for their annual alumni performance and reunion, longtime Ohio State University band director Jon Woods let go.
Woods, who was the longest-serving director in the band’s 137-year history, died Saturday morning after battling Parkinson’s disease and dementia in recent years. He was 76.
He became assistant band director at OSU in 1974 and director in 1984. He retired in 2011.
Woods was regarded as an innovator, introducing the computer-designed halftime-show drills that have been refined to become world-renowned for their showmanship.
Jonathan Woods, longest-serving director of Ohio State marching band, dies at 76
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS Associated Press SEPTEMBER 12, 2015 — 4:55PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jonathan Woods, the longest-serving director of Ohio State University's marching band and a music professor who helped lead the group into the computer age, died Saturday, the university confirmed. Woods was 76.
Woods spent 28 years directing the marching band until his retirement after the 2011-12 academic year. Then and now, fans often refer to the band by the initials TBDBITL, for "The Best Damn Band in the Land."
Woods' innovations, including using computers to chart band formations in the 1980s, won awards for the band and Woods himself, including the 2010 College Band Directors Association Lifetime Achievement Award. He took the band to Washington to march in four presidential inaugural parades.
"Woods was dedicated to precision performance on the field, and this remains the hallmark of the Ohio State Band," the university said in a statement on his death.
Woods, who went by Jon, became assistant band director in 1974, and was named director in 1984.
"Whether teaching students, leading a memorable halftime show or assembling alumni from across the globe, Jon has earned a reputation of eminence," former longtime Ohio State president Gordon Gee said in 2011 in announcing Woods' retirement.
Word of his death spread through Ohio Stadium Saturday where the football team hosted the University of Hawaii.
"Thank You Dr. Woods," said a video display with his picture. Fans were asked to honor him by singing along to the band's rendition of school song "Carmen Ohio."
Woods received his bachelor's degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, his master's degree from Penn State University, and his doctorate from the University of Michigan, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
Published in The Columbus Dispatch on Sept. 16, 2015
As hundreds of musicians he had led gathered at Ohio Stadium on Saturday for their annual alumni performance and reunion, longtime Ohio State University band director Jon Woods let go.
Woods, who was the longest-serving director in the band’s 137-year history, died Saturday morning after battling Parkinson’s disease and dementia in recent years. He was 76.
He became assistant band director at OSU in 1974 and director in 1984. He retired in 2011.
Woods was regarded as an innovator, introducing the computer-designed halftime-show drills that have been refined to become world-renowned for their showmanship.
Jonathan Woods, longest-serving director of Ohio State marching band, dies at 76
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS Associated Press SEPTEMBER 12, 2015 — 4:55PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jonathan Woods, the longest-serving director of Ohio State University's marching band and a music professor who helped lead the group into the computer age, died Saturday, the university confirmed. Woods was 76.
Woods spent 28 years directing the marching band until his retirement after the 2011-12 academic year. Then and now, fans often refer to the band by the initials TBDBITL, for "The Best Damn Band in the Land."
Woods' innovations, including using computers to chart band formations in the 1980s, won awards for the band and Woods himself, including the 2010 College Band Directors Association Lifetime Achievement Award. He took the band to Washington to march in four presidential inaugural parades.
"Woods was dedicated to precision performance on the field, and this remains the hallmark of the Ohio State Band," the university said in a statement on his death.
Woods, who went by Jon, became assistant band director in 1974, and was named director in 1984.
"Whether teaching students, leading a memorable halftime show or assembling alumni from across the globe, Jon has earned a reputation of eminence," former longtime Ohio State president Gordon Gee said in 2011 in announcing Woods' retirement.
Word of his death spread through Ohio Stadium Saturday where the football team hosted the University of Hawaii.
"Thank You Dr. Woods," said a video display with his picture. Fans were asked to honor him by singing along to the band's rendition of school song "Carmen Ohio."
Woods received his bachelor's degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, his master's degree from Penn State University, and his doctorate from the University of Michigan, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
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