Kusserow’s time
Former Panther Band director to be enshrined Tuesday
As much as Jim Kusserow’s musical leadership as director of the Panther Band for the last 27 years has meant to Porterville High School, it seems only fitting that his name will soon join other PHS greats as a permanent part of the school’s architecture.
The Porterville High School Alumni Association is inviting the public to attend a ceremony Tuesday, April 24 at 11 a.m. on the PHS campus, where Kusserow will be enshrined as the newest member of the school’s Wall of Fame.
When Terra Bella native Kusserow replaced his mentor Frank “Buck” Shaffer in 1990 after 37 years, many fans of band music in Porterville were curious which direction the Panther Band would head under his leadership: would it forge off in new directions or adhere to Buck’s revered and established traditions?
The answer, fortunately, was both.
Kusserow brought new music and a modern look to Panther Band halftime performances, while sticking with the band’s recognizable appearance and its patriotic traditions like parade performances, an annual Memorial Day performance at Hillcrest Cemetery and its salute to armed forces during the finale of the spring concert.
And the standard for musical excellence has never wavered either, as Kusserow built on Shaffer’s streak of Superior ratings at the annual CMEA festival by beginning a streak of his own. The Panther Band has earned a Superior rating each of its 27 years under Kusserow’s direction.
Under Kusserow’s leadership, the Panther Band has performed at the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center, and have presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and played a standing concert at the World War II Memorial.
Over the years, Kusserow has received numerous recognitions by fellow educators for his leadership. He has been recognized as National Hall of Fame Band Director of the Year, and has also been honored in “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who of American Teachers.”
He was admitted into the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor in 2010, and was named Tulare County Teacher of the Year in 2012 and CMEA Central Section Music Educator of the year in 2016.
He has been the guest conductor of honor bands in California and Texas, and has served as president of CMEA’S Central Section.
From 1981 to 1998, Kusserow served as principal trumpet for the Tulare County Symphony, and he still performs professionally as part of the Sequoia Brass Quintet.
Kusserow’s hobbies include bicycling, racquetball, and watching his kids play sports and perform music. He and his wife Kelli have three children: Kaylan, Michael, and Christopher.