J.W. Koester

J.W. Koester has served as director or manager with several top-tier corps such as: Phantom Regiment during the 2008 DCI World Championship season, Santa Clara Vanguard during the 1999 DCI World Championship season, Vanguard Cadets during the 1991 and 1993 Division II finalist seasons, and most recently as the Corps Director for Spirit Of Atlanta. He also worked with Drum Corps International (DCI) as the national coordinator for Division II & III corps. In 2018, he was inducted into the Santa Clara Vanguard Hall of Fame. In his 30 years as a designer, instructor and consultant, Koester has worked with performing ensembles throughout eight states. A percussionist since 1967, he has performed with groups including the Santa Clara Vanguard (winning three DCI World Championships and five Best Percussion Section Awards), the San Jose State University Marching Band, the West Valley College Wind and Percussion Ensembles, and numerous community theater musical productions. Koester is currently Lead Instructor for the Price Charter School Winter Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Coordinator for Oak Grove High School Marching Band and Winter Percussion Ensemble, and also a Project Engineer with a semi-conductor capital equipment company.

Starting 2015, JW Koester is the Corps Director of Mandarins of Sacramento Inc..