As one of the four performing arts disciplines of AHS, the band has always made a presence at several different events throughout the school year, showcasing their talents at football games, elementary schools, basketball games, school musicals—you name it.
With a handful of performances as well the start of their in-school classes, the band has already had a great start to the school year. This year, however, they have a new addition to their program: Zachary Wadsworth, the new band director of AHS.
After moving around Virginia for several years, Wadsworth has gained a lot of experience as a music teacher, spending some time at a number of different schools and eventually switching to Annandale to become AHS’s band director.
His passion for music actually began in his middle school band. Initially, Wadsworth played the trumpet, but he found the experience dull and uninteresting. Around halfway through his eighth grade year, however, the band director of the high school he would soon attend convinced him to switch instruments and become a percussionist. This sparked his love for music, and, by just his sophomore year in high school, he decided he wanted to become a band director.
“I went from ‘I’m gonna quit band’ to ‘I’m gonna make a career out of band’ in a matter of no time because of what the environment was and what [his band director] had created,” Wadsworth said.
After graduating high school, he attended James Madison University and played in several of their music ensembles as well as their marching band. College, however, was humbling for him, especially when his audition for the drumline in his freshman year gave him disappointing results.
“But it lit a fire under me,” Wadsworth said, “and I went from cymbals my freshman year to [being] on the snare line my sophomore year, center three my junior year, and…captain my senior year.”
Following his time at JMU, he taught for three years at Shelburne Middle School in Staunton. Following some experiences there, his philosophy about teaching and band began to shift.
“I started to see humans in chairs and not instruments in chairs,” Wadsworth said. “It has to start there.”
The reason he enjoyed band in high school was because his band director created that kind of culture among the band: one that was about the students first and the music second.
“And so my philosophy changed: it’s got to be about the students and the community and culture you foster, and the rest will come,” Wadsworth said.
After teaching at Shelburne MS, he moved to Fredericksburg and taught at Riverbend High School for 5 years.
Because of his experience at his previous school, Wadsworth’s approach to teaching evolved tremendously, and he was able to lift up Riverbend’s band program over the span of only a few years. They had about 90 members when he arrived, and by the time he left, that number had more than doubled.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he decided it was a good time to pursue his graduate degree in Tampa, Florida and return to Virginia after two years. Wadsworth taught for two more years at Kettle Run High School, Nokesville, helping more than double the numbers of their band program.
As for moving to Annandale, it offered many benefits that made the opportunity quite appealing. Not only was it financially and personally convenient for Wadsworth to live in Annandale, but he was also greatly attracted to the unified nature of the school’s performing arts community, making it a worthwhile decision for him to move here.
“I want to be a part of that—that culture, that community that aligned directly with my philosophy,” Wadsworth said.
In addition to this, he already had background knowledge of AHS after seeing its marching band at countless events in the past. So, after discovering that the band director position for that school was open, he knew he had to go for it.
“It felt like all the stars were aligned, for what I believe in and what had been established,” Wadsworth said. “And so for me, it felt very natural. All the signs pointed towards leaving Kettle Run and coming towards Annandale and being part of that magic.”
Because of the foundation set by the previous band director, the transition for Wadsworth as the incoming band director was nearly seamless. Wadsworth even agreed that this was likely the easiest transition out of anywhere he has been.
“I don’t want to go anywhere else—I’m tired of moving,” Wadsworth said. “I really want to put roots [down] and be [in Annandale] until I retire.”
Wadsworth has already made a huge impact on the band’s culture in the few months he has been at AHS. He has added even more enthusiasm to the program and pushed students out of their comfort zones, allowing them to accomplish goals while maintaining an environment they can thrive in.
“For a new band director, he’s done amazing,” sophomore band student Knayomi Smith said. “It doesn’t really feel like much has changed, [especially with how] he tries to keep the traditions upheld as much as possible.”
With his years of experience that taught him countless lessons about education, music, and people, Wadsworth will undoubtedly continue to help the band program push their boundaries and reach new heights.
“I’m excited to see this culture and community grow into something I know can be amazing and continue to build long relationships with the students here in the band program,” he said.
