Published in the October 24, 2018 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Harry Wagg is starting to settle in as Lynnfield High School’s new band director.

Wagg has succeeded Tom Westmoreland as LHS’ band director. He previously worked as the music specialist at Summer Street School for nine years, where he was known as the elementary school’s “rock star.” He worked part-time at Huckleberry Hill School for seven years.

“It feels great and I’m honored to be at the high school,” said Wagg in an email sent to the Villager. “I know I’ve got big shoes to fill and a lot to learn coming from the elementary level, but between the administration, students, and my counterpart, Doug Hodgkins, I’ve also got a lot of support and guidance that have been invaluable to my transition.”

While the 2018-2019 school year marks the first time Wagg has worked in a high school, he has worked with high school students in the past.

“I’ve worked with high school-aged students at different camps and workshops, and have always enjoyed it,” said Wagg.

Wagg said his goals for the high school band program are similar to the goals he established for elementary students.

LYNNFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Band Director Harry Wagg has enjoyed bringing his passion for music to high school students this year.
(Dan Tomasello Photo)

“My goals are essentially the same as they were in elementary music,” said Wagg. “To guide students to increase their musicality; have meaningful musical experiences; allow for continued participation in music post-high school; and learn about themselves and other disciplines through music. I would, of course, love to see the program grow. However, there are a lot of moving pieces to that, some of which I still have a bit to learn about.”

Wagg noted teaching high school music students is very similar to teaching elementary students.  

“It’s all about processing concepts in a way that allows students to grow as musicians and produce the most musical outcome possible,” said Wagg.

Wagg noted the LHS Band program is still utilizing small group ensembles that Westmoreland implemented several years ago.

“The program is mostly comprised of smaller jazz and rock ensembles, along with a sort of flex or hybrid concert band,” said Wagg. “For the numbers, instrumentation and scheduling we have at the high school, this seems to be the best format. I think it also encourages the students to take more risks, and have greater ownership over the music we play. They also get to perform music that is more meaningful to them.”

Wagg developed a passion for playing music at a very young age.

“I’ve been playing music for as long as I can remember,” said Wagg. “I started out playing trumpet when I was very young, maybe 4 or 5-years-old. My grandfather was a trumpet player, so it was always around and I was really taken by it. I played trumpet and a variety of other brass instruments until high school, when I switched over to guitar. I ended up attending Berklee as a guitarist, and focused on performing in small rock and jazz ensembles. After a lot of years in bands and being constantly around musicians, you become pretty comfortable on a variety of instruments. Music education majors are also required to study most traditional band instruments.”

Wagg said teaching music is incredibly enjoyable.

“The most rewarding part of teaching music is watching it grab hold of the students,” said Wagg. “When they are able to own and get lost in a performance, it’s wonderful to see and hear. It’s sort of a funny thing, but you can tell when it’s happening because it’s when they don’t need me there anymore. They’re able to just run with the music and with each other.”

Wagg said he has learned a great deal from Westmoreland over the course of his tenure of teaching music in Lynnfield Public Schools.

“Tom has constantly demonstrated how to lead both students and educators, but most importantly shown how to build and maintain a part of LHS that truly feels like a home away from home to the band students,” said Wagg. “It’s that sense of nurturing and culture building that I most hope to live up to.”

Wagg said he is looking forward to the first LHS Band concert of the year, which will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 30, beginning at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

“There will be a variety of pieces, but a lot of it will revolve around the music of Stevie Wonder,” said Wagg.