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Parkrose Middle School has “Super Volunteer”

Parkrose Middle School students experience a part of a living history and learn about life, living and music from volunteer teacher Ed McDowell.

KATHI BRENNAN
FOR THE MID-COUNTY MEMO

Parkrose Middle School music director Tawnya Garcia and her students have crowned 89 year old Edward McDowell, a “Super Volunteer”. McDowell is a living piece of American history.

“Super Volunteer” Ed McDowell smiles in anticipation of another day spent with teacher Tawnya Garcia and her students in the Parkrose Middle School Band. MID-COUNTY MEMO PHOTO BY TIM CURRAN
Born, raised and educated in Port Orchard, Washington McDowell picked up a trumpet one morning at South Kitsap High School. That morning set into motion a history of music, Broadway shows and education, which continues today. Edward McDowell is a vibrant, active and funny man. His fascinating accounts of his worldly experiences kept both Ms. Garcia and myself hanging on his every word.

After high school graduation in 1931 McDowell headed off to the University of Washington. Not only did Ed play his trumpet in the Husky marching band, but also worked his way through college playing in the local jazz clubs and touring Broadway shows. This is how he also paid for his own music lessons.

McDowell auditioned for the Seattle Symphony and won a coveted spot. Although he was now with the prestigious symphony Ed continued to play the nightclubs, jazz hot spots and Broadway performances he so loved. McDowell says, “ My favorite is ‘Oklahoma’, the most challenging was ‘South Pacific’.”

After graduating from college McDowell took on his first teaching job at a Kennewick, Washington high school making about $1400 a year.

One of Ed’s University of Washington band mates and drum major, Chester Duncan, had moved to the Portland area and was now the Supervisor of Music for Portland Public Schools. Duncan wasted no time and put in a call to his old friend Edward McDowell. He talked Ed into moving south to Portland.

McDowell began a new teaching career working half time at both Benson and Commerce (now Cleveland) High Schools. All the while Ed also played horn for touring Broadway shows, at jazz clubs and for the Ice Follies when they came to town. In the 1940’s, McDowell began his experience with the then Portland Symphony, now known as the Oregon Symphony.

Still teaching, McDowell remembers one incredible afternoon at Benson when the principal called a school assembly in the gymnasium. Everyone gathered and listened quietly as the voice of President Roosevelt came over the P.A. system to announce that war had been declared. Ed wasted no time and enlisted in the United States Navy. Serving in the Navy Band, McDowell believes “Music is just as valuable as a gun”.

After a 3-year stint he returned to Portland. Now back in the civilian mainstream McDowell came back to what he loved doing the best, playing trumpet and teaching kids. In 1943 he accepted a position at Grant High School and states “It didn’t take long for the band to achieve superior ratings in state competitions”.

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