Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The Mountain View High School Jazz Ensemble is one of the premier high school jazz programs in the Pacific Northwest, consistently demonstrating excellence on regional and national stages. The jazz program consists of two ensembles, serving over 70 students who also participate in Mountain View’s renowned concert bands and orchestras.
With a tradition of success, the Jazz Ensemble has been featured at prestigious events such as the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, the NAfME Northwest Conference, and the Washington Music Educators Association State Conference. The ensemble has also earned top honors at major festivals, including winning the Sweepstakes Award at the Clark College Jazz Festival in 2025, 2023, 2015, and 2012. In addition to these accolades, Mountain View’s jazz students have had the privilege of performing with world-class artists, including Wayne Bergeron, Jeff Coffin, Bob Reynolds, Nathan Eklund, and the legendary Count Basie Orchestra.
Mountain View High School maintains a well-rounded and diverse music program, featuring three concert bands, two orchestras, two jazz bands, a percussion ensemble, and a thriving solo and ensemble program with over 100 student entries annually. The school’s commitment to excellence was recognized nationally in 2017 when it received the National Band Association Blue Ribbon Award for sustained achievement in all areas of music education.
The Jazz Ensemble is led by Sam Ormson, an accomplished educator with 25 years of teaching experience, including 21 years at Mountain View High School. In addition to directing Jazz Ensemble I, he co-directs the concert bands, leads the Chamber Orchestra, and oversees the chamber music program. Under his leadership, Mountain View’s music ensembles have received national recognition, performing at the Midwest Clinic, Music for All National Concert Band Festival, Western International Band Clinic, and more. Sam had led groups to national recognition is all idioms of instrumental music education - strings, jazz band, concert band, percussion, and chamber music. He has twice been named a Grammy Signature School winner, and in 2015 was the On-Point Community Credit Union teacher of the year.
With a rich history of achievement and an unwavering dedication to musical excellence, the Mountain View High School Jazz Ensemble continues to inspire and shape the next generation of jazz musicians.
Mountain View High School Jazz Ensemble
Conductor's Bio
Sam Ormson is an accomplished music educator with 26 years of teaching experience, currently in his 22nd year at Mountain View High School. At the school, he leads the Jazz Ensemble I, Chamber Orchestra, and collaboratively teaches three concert bands while overseeing the chamber music program. Sam's dedication to music education extends beyond the classroom, as he actively serves as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout the region, previously having served as a clinician at the American Band College, conductor of the Southwest Washington Wind Symphony, and adjunct professor of saxophone at Clark College.
Under his guidance, his groups have gained national and international recognition. His concert bands, string orchestra, jazz band, percussion, and chamber ensembles have all performed on national stages, having performed at the Midwest Clinic, Music for All National Concert Band Festival, Music for All National Percussion Festival, National Chamber Music Festival, Western International Band Clinic, Tournament of Roses Parade, NAfME All-Northwest Convention, and the Washington Music Educators Association State Conference. Notably, the school gave the world high school premiere of Maslanka’s Symphony 9 in its entirety in 2015, was honored with the National Band Association Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence in 2017.
Throughout his career, Sam has had the privilege of performing and collaborating with esteemed artists such as the Count Basie Orchestra, David Maslanka, Wayne Bergeron, Gary Green, Jeff Coffin, the Calder Quartet, Patrick Sheridan, Bob Reynolds, and many others.
As a clinician Sam has presented sessions at various conferences, including the American Band College, National Association for Music Education Northwest conference, Washington Music Educators conference, and Montana Music Educators conference.
Before becoming a high school band director, Sam pursued a successful career as a professional woodwind player for Carnival Cruise Lines, and has performed alongside renowned artists like O’Jays, Lou Rawls, Allen Vizzuti, and David Sanchez.
Beyond his professional achievements at Mountain View, Sam is a two-time Grammy Signature school award winner and the 2015 On-Point Community Credit Union teacher of the year. He holds an AA degree from Columbia Basin College, a BA degree from Central Washington University, an MA from the American Band College, National Board Certification in Music, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Music Education from Boston University.
He shares his passion for music with his wife Carinn, who is also a music educator, and they have two sons, Jack and Henry.
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