Vern Swartz passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2007. He was born on Feb. 21, 1927, in Haxton, Colo., to Vern and Brownie Swartz. He was raised in Pompey's Pillar, Mont., and enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman during World war II. Following his discharge, he returned to finish high school and begin his musical education. He received his degree in music education from Mac Phail Music conservatory in Minneapolis, Minn. He continued with graduate studies at Chicago Music Conservatory and earned a master's degree in music performance on clarinet at Sacramento State University.
After completing college, Vern spent several years as a professional musician, performing with touring bands in the Midwest.
He started teaching band in the public schools in Minnesota - moving to California in 1958. He taught band in Woodland public schools for 30 years at all levels - high school, junior high and elementary. The highlight of his teaching career was marching the Woodland High School Band in the Rose Bowl Parade.
Upon retirement from public school teaching, Vern began teaching private lessons. He taught privately at Woodland Music & Guitar, Northridge Music in Citrus Heights and Watermelon Music in Davis.
He was a member of several Sacramento-area community bands during the past 15 years, and had participated in concert band tours to China, Canada, Hawaii, Russia, Sweden and Denmark.
Vern is survived by Julie, his wife and music soulmate of 45 years; his son, John and wife Sue; and granddaughters, Nadine and Annie of Bemidgi, Minn.; and sister, Barbara Greenlaw of Roseville.
As per Vern's wishes there will be no services. Donations in his memory may be made to Woodland Band Boosters.
Published in Daily Democrat on July 14, 2007
We became Woodland Music Boosters, Inc, a non-profit 501-3C. After Vern passed away we added to our summer scholarship awards by creating Vern Swartz Memorial Scholarship. (It has since, become the Vern and Julie Swartz Memorial Scholarship). These are awarded to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to attend a week long college session living in the dorms and studying music with the professors. After a very intense week there is a remarkable concert that will just blow your socks off. This summer our 8 students will be living and learning at UOP...Univ of the Pacific.
