As a non-profit organization, the South Sound Symphonic band consists of talented amateur and semiprofessional musicians who enjoy the challenge of rehearsing and performing to high musical standards, as well as the friendships created by the group’s activities. The band aims to perform music which is entertaining for its audience.

The band was first known as The Federal Way Community Band. In the early 1990’s it changed its name to the Federal Way Symphonic Band. This name change signified the stronger emphasis on a band that played more serious wind ensemble music. In 1999 the group changed its name again to the South Sound Symphonic Band because the band membership was more centered in the Puyallup area.

Deanna Avery, formerly Deanna Underwood and a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, was teaching at Federal Way High School and had recently graduated from Northwestern University. She had some exposure to the famous North Shore Concert Band. This may be one of the more famous and proficient concert bands and is located in the Chicago area. Deanna’s college teacher, John Paynter inspired her to begin a community band in her area. She advertised in the local newspaper and over 70 people showed up for the first rehearsal. Deanna grew up in Federal Way playing in the Totem Junior High Concert Band and later the Thomas Jefferson Wind Ensemble. She graduated from Western Washington University in about 1979 and then attended Northwestern to earn a masters degree in conducting. Deanna left the Federal Way area when she was admitted to the United States Maring Band playing clarinet.

When Deanna left to join the Marine Band, the current director at Thomas Jefferson High School was Sal Smith. He then became the new director of Federal Way Community Band. Sal created a fun atmosphere within the band. He was very entertaining and well loved by the band. Unfortunately, he unexpectedly passed away before the age of 40. Paul Dirkson, a young teacher from Lakota Junior High School directed the band during the 1986 and 1987 school year.

When Paul moved to Oregon to accept a teaching position in Salem, Thomas Anderson was named as the new conductor in September of 1987. Mr. Anderson has been the conductor of this ensemble since that time. Having one director for over twenty years has proven to be a steadying influence on the musicianship and growth of the band. The band has continued to improve and explore some very challenging band music.

For many years the band attended the Abbotsford Band Festival in Abbotsford Canada. The band won the competition many times and the trophies are still housed at Lollies Pub on 1st Avenue South in Federal Way. In later years the band was invited to be the showcase band presenting a concert for the students during the competition. Both Allen Vizzutti and Stephen Fissel were featured soloists with the band at those packed concerts in the Abby Arts Center.

The band’s home for concerts for many years was St. Theresas Catholic Church in the Browns Point and Federal Way area. The Federal Way Symphony also called St. Theresas home.

As the schedule of the church became even more full the band needed to look for another home to perform. The Rialto Theater in Tacoma was home for the band for many years.

When the band moved its rehearsals from Kilo Junior High School to Edgemont Junior High School, the commons at Edgemont Junior High School became our new home. We have been there for many years.

The level of musicianship withing the band has continued to steadily improve. More and more players who had recently graduated from college as music majors began to join the band. However, there are people in the band from many careers. Playing in the band we have a machinist, an IT specialist, a nurse, a salesman, a school principal, several homemakers, a few students and many band teachers. The thread that locks the band together is the love of band music and the love of performing that music well.

Many school directors from local school districts are regular members of the SSSB. A strong feeling of mutual support between the directors is evident within the band. The successes of the directors within the band attest to the caliber of musicians in the band. The contest ratings, appearances at state and national conventions are but a few examples of the highly successful programs represented within the band. The real benificiaries of this success are the students who these directors teach.

A scholarship fund for deserving high school graduates has been set up within the band. This fund is self-sustaining by the interest that the scholarship fund generates. Students who have been members of the band or appeared as soloists with the band have received this $500 scholarship. This is just one additional example of the vesting that the band has within the music education community.

The concert schedule includes a Christmas, spring, and early summer concerts. Additional appearances have included the Valley Division Honor Band concert held in the early fall, appearances at the Central Washington University Band Festival and in the past, the Abbotsford Internationsl Band Festival both as an adjudication contestant and the guest performing band.