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Oral history says The American Legion Band was started in 1924 by Legion members who were veteran's of WW1 and Olympia's Post #3. The organization also had a Drum and Bugle Corps which marched in front of the band in the style of the French. Belgians, and Italians. The Corps was disbanded sometime in the 1950s. The band continued to be comprised of male musicians until 1970 when females were recruited along with junior and senior high school students. At the present time, the band which is financially supported by the Legion members of The Department of Washington, the musicians are all volunteers and number around 40. They are a committed group and have many examples of long time association; in some cases 45 to 50 years. In 2002, the band moved to its current home at Saint Martin's College, Arts Building #13, Lacey, WA. Rehearsals are from 7:PM to 9:PM each Thursday evening and musicians are always welcomed,

Potential member musicians are encouraged to attend their regular rehearsals at St Martins College Music Building in Olympia. They need not be veterans. For further information about the band and qualifications please contact Mr. Fletcher Anderson, 360-740-4834 Band Manager or Mr. William Stedman, 360-923-0424 Department Chairman

Born in Detriot MI Attended Wayne State University

Taught High School and Middle School in Utah

Currently teaching at Shelton Middle School until September 2004

Elementary & Middle School Band Director for North Thurston School District (Olympia, WA) starting Sept 2004

Conducting The Saint Martin's College Band (Just appointed starting September 2004)

Andy Omdahl began playing the trumpet in 1969 while
living in New York. Upon relocating to southern
California as the result of his father's military
move, he continued studies with the great Claude
Gordon in North Hollywood. He enlisted in the Marine
Corps Music Program in 1975 and served a 21 1/2 year
career as an instrumentalist, trumpet instructor at
the Armed Forces School of Music, and upon being
appointed a Warrant Officer Band Officer, led two
Marine bands. He was assigned as the Commanding
Officer of the Marine Element, School of Music from
1990-1994. Subsequent to that tour he served as the
Training Officer and Special Projects Officer for the
same command prior to his retirement as a Captain in
1996. Andy's playing experience includes performances
with the Fifth Dimension, Four Tops, Temptations,
O'Jays, Maureen Mcgovern, Virginia and Richmond
Symphonys to name a few. He traveled the world as a
cruise ship musician as lead trumpet/musical director
for four years and currently performs in the the
greater Pacific Northwest as one of the most sought
after trumpet players. Andy's teaching schedule keeps
him busy along with attending grad school at the
Evergreen State College.

Above is cover of one of Louis Stewart's CD's available in our lobby during concert

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLICK BELOW FOR AUDIO SAMPLE UNLESS YOU HAVE AT LEAST A 2.0GHz COMPUTER AND DSL INSTEAD OF A DIAL UP CONNECTION OR IT MAY TAKE 1/2 HOUR OR SO TO DOWNLOAD WHICH MAY LOCK UP YOUR COMPUTER SO YOU MIGHT HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THEN END TASK IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT WAITING THAT LONG ONLY ATTEMPT THE AUDIO SAMPLE IF YOU ARE VERY BRAVE UNTIL WE HAVE FINISHED PERFECTING THIS FEATURE. IT WILL WORK ON SOME MEDIA PLAYERS BUT NOT ALL YET. YOU MAY WANT TO DOWNLOAD ANOTHER PLAYER IF YOU FEEL LIKE EXPERIMENTING