Biography

Jake William McDowell (age 23) is a composer-performer musician and educator based in the Eugene, OR area.

His musical journey began in elementary school at the age of 11. Following the completion of one mediocre season of Little League Baseball, Jake picked up the trumpet. From there, the rest was history.

Currently playing Trumpet 2 for the E 18th Brass Band, Jake has been a member of various ensembles over the years including the Portland Metro Youth Symphony, Virtual Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps. He briefly studied composition with Eben A. F. Heldreth and trumpet with Sarah Viens. Jake graduated from Aloha High School in Beaverton, OR and attended the University of Oregon.

While at the University of Oregon, Jake performed with the Oregon Wind Symphony, Oregon Wind Ensemble, as well as Jazz Lab Band II and III. Jake also occasionally performed with the Campus Band on secondary instruments: french horn, trombone, and flute. Additionally, Jake was a member of the Oregon Composers Forum, having his works performed at concerts throughout the 2024–2025 season.

Furthermore, Jake was a very active member of the Oregon Athletic Bands including the Oregon Marching Band, Oregon Basketball Band, as well as both Yellow and Green Garter Bands (two 12-member student-led brass bands). He was both a trumpet section leader and drum major for the Oregon Marching Band, served as Liaison on the Oregon Athletic Bands Council, and was a logistical director for the Yellow Garter Band. As a member of these groups, Jake had the opportunity to perform in numerous venues across the country (such as Lucas Oil Stadium) and at major events such as the Pasadena Festival of Roses.

A man of many talents, Jake is also an independent software developer and delivery driver. He graduated with a B.S. in Music (with a focus on composition and education) and a minor in Music Technology (with a focus on software design). He is also currently the sole developer of a marching arts drill design application (coming soon), with previous experience in a visual design course with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps in 2020.

In terms of instruction experience, Jake has been a high brass instructor for the Mountainside High School Marching Ensemble since 2021. He has also previously taught for Northwest Band Camp at Twin Rocks and Code Ninjas.

Outside of music and coding, Jake enjoys cooking, watching TV, snowboarding, and playing video games.