Alumni Spotlight – Jim Hoffman ‘69

No doubt about it – Jim Hoffman’s memories of Susquehannock relate mostly to its music program. He remembers it as his identity and says, “To this day, when I meet people I know from there, the first thing they ask is ‘Are you still playing?’”

It is no surprise, then, that he lists his first band director, private trumpet instructor, and mentor Dave Heberlig – along with later band director Ron Walker – as having most influenced his career and shaped his life.

At SHS – then including grades 7-12 – Jim played in the orchestra and the band, and sang in the mixed chorus plus performed in every other musical sub-grouping there was.  He was named to district and regional band, and earned a spot in district chorus.

His passion for music did not stop at school. With Mr. Heberlig’s strong encouragement, he took every opportunity he could find in the community. He played in the Southern York County Band, the Brodbecks Band, and in the orchestra at Christ Lutheran in Shrewsbury. He also performed at many other area churches and was a regular with the Glen Rock Carolers. Jim was a member of local rock group – The Chaparrals – joining them when they decided to add brass to their sound in response to the emergence of soul music.

As comprehensive as his early music credentials are, he also impresses as an all-around student. He was inducted into the National Honor Society, was elected class president, and served on student council.  And he was a member of the track team, throwing shot-put and discus.

But music was always there as his primary interest. “I knew early on what I wanted to be: a music teacher,” he recalls.

After his graduation in 1969, he attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and again, took advantage of every performance opportunity he could.

After graduating from IUP in 1973, he accepted his first teaching assignment at York Vo-Tech. There, he established a successful marching band and choral program. That was also the year he married his SHS sweetheart Kay Stermer ’71. Kay graduated from York College and also pursued a career in education, retiring from Dallastown Area School District where she was an elementary teacher.

In 1979, Jim took a job in the York City School District directing band, orchestra, chorus, and teaching general music. He was also chair of the arts department.

During that period, he was the choir director at St. John’s Lutheran in New Freedom and First Church of the Brethren in York. Jim also continued his own music education, doing post graduate work at Penn State, University of the Arts, and Wilkes University.

Around 1985, he began performing on trumpet again, having put his horn away for 12 years after college. He started with the Spring Garden Band and later made a connection with the York Symphony, groups with whom he still performs regularly.

As he became known in the York musical community, he began performing in smaller groups of all types – from German bands to brass quintets and everything in between. He has played in the pit orchestras at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, The Fulton Opera House, and substituted in many other area musical organizations. Jim is known as among the premier trumpeters in the area.

Jim and Kay have a daughter, Kara, who is a dental hygienist, married, and living in York. In addition to spending as much time as possible with their two grandchildren, Jim and Kay enjoy traveling, biking, kayaking, cooking, and entertaining.

Thanks to Jim Hoffman, Class of 1969, for making us Warrior Proud!