Susquehannock alumni Wesley Harler returns to wave the baton as the new band director and instructor.

Harler returns with experience from La-Plata High School in Charles County Public Schools in Maryland.

“…Southern York County has a huge place in my heart, and I would love to continue the awesome legacy the former band director left for me,” Harler said.

After becoming super passionate about teaching at his past careers, Harler decided to come to Susquehannock to continue teaching music.

“It was just something I’m passionate about, and I was one of those guys who liked hanging out in the band room,” Harler said. “It was also an opportunity for us to move closer to my family, and this place has a huge place in my heart, and I would love to continue the awesome legacy that Mr. Poole left for me to continue.”

Harler is motivated to always keep improving the band and their show.

“I want everyone in the band program to have a positive experience,” Harler said. “ I want to perform music that challenges us, but is also entertaining for the audience. I want all of my students to feel proud of the product we are putting on the field, and proud of themselves.”

Harler has been with the marching band since July, and he is currently working with the marching band to improve their show even more. They won their first competition on Sept. 27 at Eastern York with the highest overall score out of 11 other bands. Recently, the band traveled to Warwick High School for the “Music For All” event presented by Yamaha, placing third in finals out of 16 other bands.

Junior Weylin Kane, the junior drum major for the marching band, supports Harler’s efforts to push the group forward.

“He is extremely different from Mr. Poole, but not in any negative way,” Kane said. “So far, he has done a great job continuing on leading the band that Mr. Poole left him, still pushing us to constantly improve and do the best we can.”

Senior Shaun Donally, the Drum Major for the Marching Band, also supports Harler’s dedication toward the band.

“Mr. Harler is a very good new band director…,” Donally said. “I know a lot of people, including myself, were skeptical about the marching band season with a new director, but I think that this season has turned out extremely well for everyone in the band and we are progressing at an extremely good pace.”

Even though Harler is focused on preparing the band for upcoming competitions, his personality shines through. Students can expect to hear a lot regarding his “cats, Duck Duck, Little Goose and Baby Beans.”

“They’ll probably be more important than anything I’ll teach you in this class,” Harler said with a grin.