Victor and Jean Sands Memorial Scholarship for Oboe or String Musicians
Applications open January 2026
Victor and Jean were well-known, well-liked, well-respected, music performers and teachers in the Tri-City area. Raised in Spokane and well-taught themselves, they were outstanding
musicians from their youth and committed to generously sharing their knowledge and skill.
Victor began playing the violin at age seen and became a founding member of the Spokane Symphony while still a high school student at Lewis and Clark. After graduating in 1946, Victor attended Whitworth College where he was invited to play in a string quartet as a violist, which led to a life-long love of both string quartet playing and the viola. In 1948 at the Spokane Music Festival, Victor won the Young Artist Competition and performed the Handel Viola Concerto with the Spokane Philharmonic (Spokane Symphony).
Victor earned a Bachelor of Arts degree as a music major (elementary education specialty) from Eastern Washington College of Education (now EWU) and first taught music in Kent, WA until he was called into the army as a teletype operator. After returning to teaching, he earned a master of music degree from the University of Idaho.
Jean’s musical journey began with group piano lessons in 3rd grade. By 7th grade she was studying with a Mrs. Luke, a wonderful teacher with the highest standards of musicianship. It was Mrs. Luke who set the tone for Jean’s musical life.
One day, at West Valley High School, where Jean was the choir accompanist, the band director offered her the opportunity to play a newly purchased school oboe. He gave her a book to “learn it over the summer.” After graduating from high school Valedictorian in 1949, Jean became a member of the Spokane Philharmonic – as an oboist. She later remarked that you can’t learn oboe from a book and dedicated herself to providing her oboe students the highest quality instruction from the start, including reed-making and theory. she even taught one online during COVID. She earned a bachelor of arts in music degree from Eastern Washington College of Education (EWU). It was at Eastern that Jean met Victor, as his piano accompanist.
Victor and Jean (Olson) married on Christmas Day 1953 and moved to Kennewick in 1955, where they both taught music in the public schools. Victor taught orchestra int eh Kennewick School District for 34 years, including summer school. Initially the only orchestra teacher in the district, Victor taught all levels while building the program, later specializing in the important work of teaching 5th grade beginning orchestra students across all the Kennewick elementary schools. Victor was also an integral part of launching the original Mid-Columbia Youth Symphony in the early 1970’s. In 1981, he established the Kennewick All-City Orchestra Festival, which brings together hundreds of Kennewick orchestra students in an exciting annual event continuing to this day.
Victor and jean’s association with the Mid Columbia Symphony goes back to 1955 and continued for over 50 years. Victor was principal viola, and Jean was first oboe. Both have performed as featured soloists with symphonies as well. Both have performed with various regional symphonies, community productions, chamber groups and numerous “gigs” of every variety. One memorable group was the “Spotted Owl Band”, a dance band so named because they were always “One gig away from extinction.” Jean was on piano, and Victor, on string bass.
For decades, both Victor and Jean also taught a steady stream of private music students at home. As an accomplished pianist, Jean taught a multitude of piano students, along with her oboe students. Along with Victor’s private teaching of strings students, he also coached chamber music ensembles. Every June, Victor and Jean’s students combined to perform a public recital, complete with delicious lime punch.
Some of their fortunate students were their own four children, Connie, Kathy, Laura, and Glen. And Victor and Jean were a team: When it was piano lesson time, Victor might send that child out the back door to knock on the front door like one of Jean’s piano students just arriving. Each of their children learned to play piano and one (or more) stringed instruments, thanks to their parents’ excellent instruction and solid commitment.
While Victor and Jean were raising their children, Jean stepped away from public school teaching and focused more on performing and teaching piano and oboe privately at home. During these busy years, with Victor’s encouragement and support, Jean also earned a masters in music from the University of Idaho, presenting a solo piano recital in 1968, both in Moscow, ID, and Pasco, WA, as part of her degree work. After the children were on their own, Jean went back to public school music teaching, first in Pasco and then in Kennewick, bringing her high standards, creativity, and sense of fun to those fortunate enough to be her students.
Ever the cheerleader for Jean, Victor attended numerous International Double Reed Society conferences with Jean all around the country. (How many violists would have been in attendance?) It’s impossible to think of one without the other.
Along with music, Victor enjoyed horse-back riding and ham radio with his children, and Jean, an exemplary seamstress, taught her children and friends new skills as their 4-H leader. Both Victor and Jean enjoyed family camping trips, woodworking, and travel – lots of travel. And lots of adventure. They drove their very young family to Alaska and back, and in later years they travelled to China, Israel, and Europe, and took up new athletic pursuits. Victor was an avid walker, and Jean an excellent swimmer. Jean took up sprint triathlons as the 5K relay partner (participating into her 80s). Both started participating in the Lampson Cable Bridge run in their 80s, coming in with 1st and 2nd place ribbons in their divisions each time (Jean participating at age 90).
Both Victor and Jean energetically invested in people, motivated to develop the highest potential of each student. Both Victor and Jean were naturally positive and encouraging. They simply loved people. Both were strong advocates of higher education. They would be so pleased to know that through this scholarship, future teachers and performers are being encouraged in their pursuit of excellence in the important field of music. This scholarship aims to honor their memory by supporting musicians who share their passion.
For more information about Victor and Jean Sands, please see these articles here, here, here, here, and here.
Clay Wick Memorial Scholarship for Upright Bass Musicians
Applications will open when fully endowed
Clay was a beloved figure in the musical community of Eastern Washington. Known for his exceptional talent on the bass, Clay’s musical journey saw him performing with the Mid-Columbia Symphony, Walla Walla Symphony, Washington-Idaho Symphony, Leavenworth Summer Musical Theatre, Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre, and Oregon East Symphony. His presence was a cornerstone in these ensembles, and his influence extended far beyond the stage.
Clay’s early life began in Duluth, Minnesota, where he attended high school before pursuing a degree in chemistry at the University of Minnesota at Duluth, graduating in 1968. His academic journey was followed by a distinguished service in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear program. After serving in the nuclear US Navy, Clay came to Hanford in 1974, when he also joined the Mid-Columbia Symphony, becoming one of its most venerable and influential musicians over 48 years.
Clay’s love for music was not only evident in his performances but also in his dedication to teaching. He was a mentor to many young musicians, inspiring them with his passion and knowledge. His students, some of whom have gone on to become professional musicians, remember him as an understanding, thoughtful, and humorous teacher with an easy smile and a relaxing laugh. Clay’s ability to connect with his students and his peers made him a cherished friend and role model.
Victor Hugo once said, “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” This quote perfectly encapsulates Clay’s approach to music and life. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, both on and off the stage. Clay’s multifaceted life, from his academic achievements to his military service and his profound impact on the musical community, is remembered and celebrated by all who knew him.
Scholarship Recipients
2024
Victoria Hase