Samuel Wells takes over his old marching grounds
By HOLLY GASKILL
At the end of Samuel Wells’ first marching band season, his director looked at him and quipped, “So, do you think you’re going to be back next year?”
Wells, a goofy eighth-grade tuba player at the time, teased back, “What do you think?”
By his senior year, Wells was voted “Most likely to be the next Northern Wells band director.”
This fall, that superlative proved true.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind,” Wells said. “Ever since I started my career, five years ago now, I’ve always just kind of thought, if that opportunity ever happens to open up, I have to at least consider it … The stars aligned here, and I couldn’t pass it up.”
As Wells had continued with the band in high school, studying music education in college seemed like a natural progression. Wells took inspiration from his first marching band director, Doug Hassell, and how he used music to unite and motivate students.
During his education at Purdue Fort Wayne, Wells stayed involved with the program alongside the previous director, Cory Kelley.
Wells was planning to return to teaching at Oak Hill United School Corporation in just a few weeks when Kelley resigned in July.
Though the decision was difficult, he felt he owed it to himself — and his history at Norwell — to apply.
The position opened on a Friday, and one week later, Wells formally accepted the job.
“Before I thought about taking this job, I called (Hassell) to talk to him about it,” Wells said. “And he has always been full of lots of wisdom, and he really thought that I would be a perfect fit for it too; he has always been in my corner.”
In many ways, stepping into the role stirs a lot of nostalgia.
Wells is teaching alongside the same middle school director he had, Amy Hipsher. Because Oak Hill doesn’t have a marching band, Wells is returning to marching band fall with many of the same competitions he once participated in. Even the tuba section reminds him of the same group of jokester guys he played with in high school.
However, there are also many differences.
Over the last several years, COVID-19 has changed some of the dynamics and participation in the bands. Wells is also getting to know a new group of students — the senior class holds some of the last students he taught during college.
Historically, the concert and marching bands have been recognized at both the national and state levels for their skills. Stepping into the role, Wells said one thing feels apparent — there are big shoes to fill.
When Wells told Hassell this, he gave a simple piece of advice.
“He said, ‘Don’t fill the shoes, just wear your own,’” Wells said. “And that was really impactful (to me) because I want to continue that tradition of excellence that has existed here for so long, but also, I want to find ways to make it my own and leave my mark on it.”
Ultimately, as a music educator, Wells is passionate about allowing students to learn more about music and themselves through music. He remembers special moments in his career, like Hassell’s inspirational speeches or old-as-time traditions, as those that brought color to the experience.
“People always advocate for music education because of how it can positively influence other areas of your life, and I think that’s great,” Wells said. “But I think that the most important thing to me about music is, and I learned this as a student here, (is) having the opportunity and a safe place to express myself … I think (there) doesn’t have to be like a reason for music to be important — it just is. It has its own life and its own energy and it’s beautiful.”
Though this opportunity has been unexpected, Wells feels expectant for all it holds — returning to marching band, familiar traditions and old stomping grounds, as well as making new friends, memories and music.
“I’m just so excited to begin the next chapter in the great history of the Norwell band,” Wells said.“That’s really all I can say. I don’t know exactly what all the future will hold, but I’m excited about where we will go.”
holly@news-banner.com
