A new band director is finally here.

             Samantha Lash, the new band director, was impacted dramatically by music. High school band and other musical activities made her want to be someone who could be involved with music every day. She originally went to college for music technology, but she realized it was not the career path for her. After Lash volunteered to help her high school band, she knew she wanted to teach music. She went to Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania for three and a half years and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education.

            Lash then moved to Yuma, Arizona for one year and taught the high school band program there. Feeling homesick, she returned home and searched for or a job. When she saw the opening for the Weir High Band Band Director position in September 2022, she applied and was hired. Her first day on the job was October 3^rd.

           With Marching Band coming to a close, the band must transition to Concert Band season. Lash has many plans for concert band and the overall learning of the band, including “establishing a culture of learning and fun within the band, producing successful performances that the students can be proud of, and building intermediate technique across the ensemble.”

            The band is currently working on Christmas music for their Christmas Concert. The songs they will be performing are African Bell Carol, A Christmas Festival, and more!

            Lash stated, “I am willing to go outside my comfort zone in order to grow as a teacher and a person. ‘Hug the cactus:’ take that risk and become better for it.”

            Lash is helping the students improve their skills every day. She has created many new warm-ups for the band and is teaching students new skills.

            Now that the students have had a chance to transition from the former director and interim substitutes, they have developed their own opinions of Lash.

            Senior Savannah Moore stated, “I think that she is going to bring lots of new and good things for the band.”

            Junior Jordan Wiseman stated, “I think Mrs. Lash brings great energy to the band”

            Junior Kylie Bartoli stated, “I like how she gives us time to practice what we need and she seems to know what she’s talking about.”

            Senior Matthew Jagela stated, “ As an aspiring music teacher, Ms. Lash believes in me as well as the rest of her students. I will definitely copy and paste some of her methods into my curriculum.”

            Now that the band has a director, it’s members feel more comfortable and confident working toward upcoming performances and competitions and will continue to grow.