Local band teacher earns provincial recognition

DEVON -- Former band teacher Clarence Samuelson has earned the ABA's Lifetime Member Award.

The award from the Alberta Band Association is presented annually to individuals who have been recognized for providing a significant period of years of continuous and extraordinary service promoting and developing the musical, educational, and cultural value of band music in Alberta.

For Samuelson, he was recognized for his contributions in promoting, expanding, and growing the culture of band music in the province over the course of his decades-long teaching career, which included 33 years spent with the Black Gold School Division.

Samuelson, who grew up about 45 kilometres northwest of Grande Prairie, first began his love for music when he took his first band class as an eleven-year-old at La Glace School. From there, he would move on to Grande Prairie Regional College, where he spent two years before completing his education at the University of Alberta. His first teaching job was in Cremona, which is located north of Cochrane along the Cowboy Trail.

"I was in Cremona for two years, and the program was hanging on by a thread," said Samuelson. "The key ingredient was that I really wanted to teach, and the kids really wanted to learn. The chemistry was perfect." 

Samuelson was instrumental in building the band program -- which had started with just four students -- into one that tied for gold in just their second year at a regional competition in Edmonton. Following their breakout performance, the school moved on to nationals in Toronto, where they captured bronze. Following his time in Cremona, Samuelson began the next phase of his career in the Town of Devon.

"We moved to Devon at the end of July in 1989," said Samuelson. "I taught middle school and high school until 2019, then I retired from full-time and taught an additional three years of just high school." 

In total, Samuelson taught band at Riverview Middle School and John Maland High School in Devon for more than three decades. During this time, his bands performed in local, provincial, and national festivals, traveling around the world to places like Germany, Brazil, and Belize, and achieving numerous accolades. He credits much of the success of his programs to the collaborative efforts between staff, students, and parents.

"I had great kids and great parents," said Samuelson. "When those two things are in place, you can do really good things. The kids, the parents, and myself we worked together towards making money to do trips, concerts, festivals, band camps; it’s so hard to pick one thing that was the best because they were all good in different ways. 

Samuelson's 33 years as an educator in Devon created a lasting legacy in the township, which is evidenced through the renaming of a road outside John Maland High School to "Samuelson Way." The long-time band teacher says that his philosophy to always create a positive environment for students was shaped through his own personal experiences as a youth in Northern Alberta. 

"The message I wanted to instill in the kids was the joy of making music and playing for others, because that's what it's all about," said Samuelson. "I had really supportive parents and an excellent band director, so all the ingredients were there for me to enjoy band. I wanted to give the same experience to my students in Cremona and Devon. Part of it was just trying to make the best music we can -- and have fun doing it." 

John Maland Principal Jon Ganton, who is a former student of Samuelson himself, recalls that Clarence had a way of making students feel welcome. He adds that he was always happy to see the kids, and every day he was excited to be teaching band and being with the students.

"When you see a master craftsman at work, it is a sight to behold," said 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."

While retired, Samuelson continues to teach private music lessons in the Town of Devon.