Former students, others remember longtime OSU marching band director

Former Ohio State University marching band director Jon Woods passed away on Saturday at the age of 76. His 28-year tenure as leader of the band is a school record. Many took to social media to offer remembrances and appreciation for Woods, his talent, accomplishments and spirit.

Needs to be said that not only was Dr. Woods integral to TBDBITL, but he was an exceptional professor and mentor for Music Ed. majors. His legacy lives on via all the music teachers he mentored and molded into leaders! I always looked forward to his class at tOSU and [the] wisdom he gave me [that] I continue to utilize in the classroom with my students. – Doug Crooks

Your leadership created TBDBITL. Buckeye Nation will remember you always. Godspeed Dr. Woods. – Linda Sheehe

The greatest lessons I learned from Dr. Woods did not come in the classroom, hours of rehearsal, or on the practice field. They came from after-hours chats in Hughes Hall and sitting across that mammoth desk in his office. I learned about life, reflecting, being gracious, and how much my actions or words impacted more than just me. I share a particular story every year with my student leaders that changed my life. That event was when the leader of the band had to reign me in, and I am forever grateful. – Joe Witkowski

I always knew I wanted to be in the OSUMB. From the very beginning, I looked forward to the day that I could say, “Dr. Woods is my band director.” It was truly exciting to make the band, but I remember the next day being in awe of this wonderful man. I was excited to be under his baton and am grateful I was there for his last four years as director of TBDBITL. – Lauren Diangelo

I’m so sorry to hear Dr. Jon R. Woods passed away. I remember one of my best memories about him was when we sat next to each other at an indoor Ohio State Christmas concert for the music majors (by coincidence)…he said “HI Rob”…for the night we were not professor and student, we were two musicians enjoying the performances of other musicians. – Rob Skebo 

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(photo credit: John Joyce)

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