OMEA Loses a Leader: Jesse Scott Foster

Jesse Foster, one of the great leaders in music education in the state, passed away February 21, 2003 at age 91. A memorial service will be at 3:30PM Saturday, March 8, 2003, in Portland's First Baptist Church.

Mr. Foster was born June 20, 1911, in Mercer County, Missouri. He graduated from Pacific University and began his teaching career at Willamina, Oregon in 1936. He taught at Estacada High School from 1937 to 1945. His teaching assignment included band, orchestra, chorus, English, Latin and Spanish. He was associated with Portland Schools from 1945 to 1976 as choir director at Roosevelt, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Grant High Schools. He was Portland's Music Supervisor from 1954 to 1970. Jesse conducted church choirs from his college years until well into his 80s.

Jesse Foster was a major leader in the Oregon Music Educators Association. His professional service with the OMEA included:

* OMEA - Vocal Affairs Chair, 2nd Vice President
* MENC - 2nd Vice President Northwest Division
* MENC - President Northwest Division, 1965-67
* Distinguished Service Award, Northwest Division, MENC - 1987