Beloved band teacher Clarence Samuelson receives prestigious provincial award
Clarence Samuelson, a retired Black Gold School Division band teacher, has received the Alberta Band Association’s Lifetime Member Award. The award is presented annually to individuals who have “provided continuous and extraordinary service promoting and developing the musical, educational, and cultural value of bands and band music in Alberta”.
“I can’t think of anyone who more perfectly fits this description,” says Nathan Ouellette, Executive Director, Alberta Band Association. “Clarence spent 35 years as a music director in Alberta. Literally thousands of students discovered their love of music under his baton. Clarence not only excelled as an educator but as an integral member of our community who helped promote, expand, and grow the culture of band, and band music in Alberta.”
Ouellette says, “Clarence continually went above and beyond for his students. His bands performed in local, provincial, and national festivals, and traveled around the world. These opportunities don’t just happen. They are the result of a lot of hard work and dedication. Through his work and dedication, Clarence helped to foster the next generation of musicians and music educators.”
“Mr. Samuelson is a household name amongst music educators across the province,” says Sean Bumstead, former student and current band director at John Maland High School. “His contributions towards band culture, pedagogical methods, and mastery have pushed the bar for school bands. He is absolutely the perfect recipient for the award.”
“I am honoured to receive this award, and surprised too,” says Samuelson. “I didn’t become a band teacher to win awards. What I appreciated most was notes from students, positive feedback from parents, and knowing students were enjoying music. Still, this award is a special honour and I appreciate it.”
“The success of the band program is the students, and their parents,” says Samuelson. “A strong community is the key, and I am grateful to have had that.”
Samuelson taught band at Riverview Middle School and John Maland High School in Devon for more than three decades, moving to a part-time role in 2019 and then fully retiring in 2022.
“I got the bands through COVID,” says Samuelson. During that time he provided private lessons to each individual band student every other week during the pandemic. “When we got back together after COVID, we did well in the festival and were able to take a final trip together, to Canmore. It was a strong ending to my career, and I’m grateful for that.”
Samuelson first arrived in Devon in 1989 after two years of teaching band at Cremona School. He had wanted to move closer to family, when he saw the job posting in Devon. However, after having helped the Cremona School band earn a spot at the national music festival, and reinvigorating the band program there, it was hard for him to leave. “I loved it there, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to apply for the job in Devon, so I did. Then I thought it wouldn’t hurt to go to the interview. When I was offered the position, I had a decision to make.”
And what a decision it turned out to be. Samuelson has never looked back, and a single glance inside the band room you get an immediate sense of how well he connected with the opportunity and community he found in Devon. Samuelson’s legacy fills the room; the walls are plastered with certificates of accomplishment from dozens of music festivals, and a hundred or more photographs of band trips around the world. Samuelson’s impact has been felt throughout the community too, evidenced through the renaming of the road outside of the school to “Samuelson Way.”
“Many musicians have come through Devon and attribute the beginning of their skill and love of music to Mr. Samuelson,” says Jon Ganton, Principal, John Maland High School. A former student of Samuelson himself, Ganton recalls that, “Mr. Samuelson had a way of making us feel welcome. He was always happy to see us. Every day he was super pumped to be teaching band and being with the students.”
Ganton says it was a privilege to move from his role as student to becoming a colleague with his former teacher. “When you see a master craftsman at work, it is a sight to behold,” says Ganton. “This award is more than well deserved. Congratulations to Mr. Samuelson, and thank you for all you’ve done for the students over many years.”
John Maland’s current band teacher is also a former student. Sean Bumstead got into teaching later in life, and after a number of years as a musician. “I never thought I would be a teacher while I was a student of Mr. Samuelson’s, but now that I am in a classroom, I often find myself thinking back to how it was in his classroom, and asking myself, ‘how would Mr. S have dealt with something like this’,” says Bumstead.
Bumstead says his teacher set a strong example of what a program should be. “Mr. Samuelson was kind and nurturing, and knew how to push his students toward success and growth in a positive way.”
In the end, it is that kind of experience that Samuelson wanted for his students.
“Being in a band creates a sense of belonging for students,” says Samuelson. “I always enjoyed being a part of that, and helping students find a lifelong love for music.”
Samuelson says he loved stirring a love for music because of its powerful impact. “Making music just feels good,” he says. “Playing in a band provides an opportunity to make other people happy. There is a natural desire in every person to do something good. When you make others feel happy, that feels super satisfying. When the audience smiles, it’s mission accomplished.”
