Westside Band Grows Under O’Daniel’s Leadership

by Stephanie Baker
Learning to play an instrument is not just a discipline, it is a delight, according to Westside Band Director Liam O’Daniels.
Under his direction, the Westside band program has doubled in size and grown to include marching at the Rebel football games.
The small school district offers few options for extracurricular activities outside of art and sports, with many students joining band because it is their only option.
O’Daniels was inspired to pursue a career in music education because of the lasting impact his own band director, Omar Taweel, had on him.
“He inspired me to want to let the aggression and the passion out through my instruments, which gave me a rise of enthusiasm for learning music. When I graduated high school, I was left with this sense of ‘I don’t know what I am doing. I am trying to change my legacy,’” he said.
“What really sent me over the edge to make this my passion, was in seventh grade I switched over from trombone to tuba and fell in love with the rich, deep, dark sound that it provided.”
O’Daniels teaches the students to love the music and express themselves through their instruments.
“I enjoy being able to express myself through the music,” said Aspyn Qualls, eighth grade clarinet player. “Band has definitely made me more confident and outgoing overall. I’m much more secure in myself. It’s helped me be more comfortable with new things. Marching forces you to work together. It brings you closer as a group, and everyone improves because of that. I’ve made great friends in this program,” she said.

The Westside Band feature appears in the May 28 edition of The Graphic, found in businesses throughout Johnson and Franklin counties.