Former Ohio State marching band director Jon Woods conducts the band during a football game. Woods served as director for 28 years — the longest anyone has held the position. Credit: Lantern file photo
Former Ohio State Marching Band director Jon Woods has died. He was 76.
Interim marching and athletic band director Christopher Hoch shared the news with members of the OSU Marching Band during practice Saturday morning.
He also announced that a member of the alumni band, which is set to perform Saturday afternoon during OSU’s home football game against Hawaii, had also died that morning.
The announcements were followed by band members joining arms and somberly singing OSU’s alma mater, “Carmen Ohio.”
Later Saturday afternoon OSU coach Urban Meyer dedicated a moment of silence to Woods at the pre-game Skull Session, held at St. John Arena.
Woods retired from his position with the marching band during the 2011-12 academic year, after serving as director for 28 years — the longest anyone has held the position.
The university issued a statement regarding Woods’ lasting legacy at OSU in an email Saturday afternoon.
“The Ohio State University community is very sad today to hear about the passing of long time band director Dr. Jon Woods,” the statement said. “Our hearts and thoughts go out to his family. Jon Woods was dedicated to precision performance on the field, and this remains the hallmark of the Ohio State Band.”
The university also offered its condolences to the family of the alumni band member, Bill Werner Sr., in an emailed statement Saturday evening.
Michael Huson contributed to this article.
Editor’s Note – Sept. 12: This article has been updated to include statements from the university.
