Hicks keeping music alive at Wells Academy

STEUBENVILLE -- Music is alive at Wells Academy and setting a positive tone for students to showcase their talents.

Music educator Rick Hicks stated 19 fourth-graders have been practicing tunes with the elementary band since fall. However, they will not have the opportunity to officially perform until they get to Harding Middle School. The students spend every Tuesday inside a conference room near the high school commons area, learning to play their clarinets, saxophones, oboes, trombones, trumpets and drums.

Hicks said the school district has had an elementary band program for several decades but it wasn't until last year that he took over the position.

"The students were selected through a recruitment process in September," he explained. "They will not perform for the public until they are in middle school. Wells has had a band program for at least 35 years -- even when it was in its own building. I just continued it." Hicks noted the group meets once a week due to his schedule at the high school. During the limited time the children have in elementary band, they are learning the basics, including rhythm counting, notes and rests.

"They learn the simple folk songs like 'Mary Had a little Lamb,' 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,' 'Jingle Bells' and 'Hot Cross Buns,'" Hicks said, adding the exercises prepare them for what's ahead at Harding.

According to Hicks, the education students are receiving can be inspirational and memorable.

"The music program in the Steubenville City School District is in itself top-rated, Hicks concluded. "The students get the best music experience from some of the best music teachers. Many of them go on to become great musicians. Others will always have the memories that will last a lifetime."