Board member Stan Yantis ('74-'75) comes to HMBAA from Mason County, Washington, where he is a 23-year musical fixture. Besides his Hawkins Middle School bands which entertain locally and are a source of civic pride, Yantis also leads a community and a swing group, joined by his wife, April, on bass. These perform along the east side of Olympic Peninsula for charitable groups.
Yantis' two daughters, Hilma and Emma, currently attend the University of Washington as Music Ed. and Performance majors. They just finished their fifth and second seasons respectively with the marching band.
Yantis has kept his ties with the U.W. since his graduation in 1979. During his first teaching job at a small, remote school, young Yantis contacted Bill Bissell, asking if he could bring his inexperienced 45-piece, grade 6-12 marching band up for a clinic. Bissell kindly agreed. As the clinic concluded on a beautiful fall day at Husky Stadium, Bissell had the little group huddle up against his ladder. As their school's first marching band, he didn't dwell on their many shortcomings; instead he declared them the start of something big. He told the students to work hard for their director, adding they were very lucky to have someone of his caliber.
Those words not only empowered the students but also Yantis, himself. He has spent his career feeling capable and connected. His students have toured the U.W. campus and have visited the varsity band at one of their rehearsals annually for 27 years.
The longevity and popularity of Yantis' music program has resulted in about 1/3 of his school's population being well-acquainted with the U.W. marching band and campus before entering high school. A power-point for young rural groups, "Hawkins Middle School goes to the U.W.," is available by emailing.
Contact Stan Yantis.
