Liane Smith/Staff

New Estero High Band Director James Samz helps a marching band student during practice last week.

Liane Smith/Staff

New Estero High Band Director James Samz keeps a watchful eye on his students during a recent marching band practice.

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BONITA SPRINGS — There’s a new man on campus at Estero High, and he’s whipping the Estero High band into shape.

Last week at marching practice, students squatted across the bus loop, jogged, stretched, sprinted and crunched, all before picking up their instruments.

New band director James Samz, 30, wants his students’ physical strengths to endure while running with their instruments during halftime shows at Friday night football games.

It’s a drill sergeant mentality, and that’s what drill writer and marching tech Oscar Escobar enjoys about his new boss.

“He has a military background, which I really like. Part of creating a marching band is discipline. It transfers very well. What kids really need to know the most is discipline,” Escobar said.

Plus, keeping the band in shape works well for the new fast tempo drills Escobar has written for this year’s half-time show. At some points during the shows, they’ll need to run with their instruments across the field.

“I’ve taught many bands across the state, and he’s been a breath of fresh air,” Escobar added.

Samz’s military background involves nine years in the National Guard, but his musical career began in fifth grade with an influential teacher. From there, instrumental school teachers and private instructors followed him; and as his skills in trumpet grew, his love of music also grew.

“I love jazz, that’s always been a passion of mine. The first time a teacher played jazz, it blew me away,” Samz said.

He also has a new musical interest: cello pieces.

“If I had to go back and do it all over again, I’d probably be a cello player,” he said.

It took Samz awhile to realize he was meant to follow in the path of some of the teachers he had growing up.

After high school ended — instead of going to college like most of his friends — he worked in a tool-and-die factory doing small-run piecework. Occasionally, he would do a performance here, teach a lesson there. Finally, his best friend said: “Come to school and try it for a year.”

That was good enough for Samz.

He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a degree in instrumental music education and started his teaching career at North Fort Myers Academy, then went on to Palmetto Ridge High School in Golden Gate Estates.

Now, he’s focusing on narrowing down his own teaching philosophies, building on the foundation laid out for him by his previous teachers.

“I want my students to have as positive a music experience as possible, and also reinforce the life skills that go along with that,” Samz said.

Samz knows not all of his students will go on to become career musicians, but band can teach them about keeping obligations, taking ownership and teamwork, he said.

“If they become musicians, great. But, if they support music the rest of their lives and remember a positive high school music experience, I’ve done my job,” Samz said.

To accomplish those things, Samz began working with students during band camp on goals for each individual, section and even the staff. They then discussed some of those goals as a group.

“The ultimate goal is to go to state (competitions),” Samz explained.

But other individual goals include coming to class prepared and on time, paying band dues, fulfilling class work in other areas and time management.

Toward the end of band camp, students began mentally checking out, he said.

“Just telling them, ‘it’s really your choice to be here,’” Samz said, makes them realize they’re part of a team and people rely on each other.

For upperclassmen and section leaders, Samz is teaching the fine line between encouraging and bullying their peers.

“You guys don’t have to like each other, but be kind to each other,” he recalled.

Drum major and junior Daniel Rosman thinks his new band director is doing great things with the program already. Crowds want more upbeat music and Samz plans to bring that to shows with a mix of popular ‘80s bands such as AC/DC and Bon Jovi.

“He wants to entertain the crowd, win trophies and he’s a great teacher,” Rosman said between running wind sprints at practice.

Reach Liane Smith at 213-6047 or lesmith@bonitanews.com