Member Bio

Tom started playing Tuba in junior high, and traveled with the high school band during his freshman year to play at the New York World's Fair and then on the steps of the US Capitol. He earned his high school letter playing all four years in the marching/pep band, and he played during the non-athletic season in the school's symphonic band. During his senior year, Tom was also part of a dixieland combo.  Tom did not play in any organization after high school until joining with a brass quintet in Jackson in 1984.

Later, Tom partnered with Don Cushman to form the Jackson Hole Community Band for the Wyoming Centennial (re-established we said since Jackson had a small band in 1914). Both  Tom and his wife Nancy were involved in its organization and rehearsals (Nancy on Flute and Tom on Tuba). Daughter Stephanie was 2 years old at the time. The band rehearsed in a variety of venues, and Stephanie would occupy herself in back of the band with what toys she brought along. Some 30+ years later, she is now near the center of the band playing Trumpet. She is currently a practicing doctor at a veterinarian clinic in Jackson. Nancy and Tom’s son Peter attended rehearsals in much the same way a few years after his sister. He became a familiar sight on the back of the band trailer near the percussionists so that he could jump off and chase down sheets of music that blew off the stands. By middle school, he studied Percussion, became part of the school bands, and he often played with the Jackson Hole Community band until college. At those times, it was all four of the Ninnemann family playing in performances. Peter now lives in Colorado working as a computer system design engineer.