Apr 29, 2018 4 min read

Having played with iconic artists including the Temptations and Aretha Franklin, and directed award-winning bands for 40 years, David Dayton is an inspiration to those who know him. Though he had great potential for making it big in the music industry, his career path made a 180-degree turn once he experimented with teaching.

As a teacher, Dayton continues to impact many of his students. His charisma and precision influence those around him while he does what he loves: directing the students of the Washington High School band.

Dayton attended West Virginia University with the goal of being a professional trumpet player, and planned to use his music education degree as a fallback. But he grew to love teaching. After teaching at public school for 12 years and West Liberty University for eight, he moved to Wash High.

“It was probably the best move I could have made in my life. I found a home, I wasn’t happy at West Lib. I felt empty as a professional. Coming to Wash High and Washington has made a big difference in my career,” said Dayton.

One prominent trait of Dayton is his big personality. Whether it be the sportive bickering between him and assistant director Mark Poole, or his connections between basketball and music, his enthusiasm for life is clear. In addition to his geniality, his pride and appreciation for his band are evident.

The band room setting is defined by his dry humor and constant joking with his students. Dayton’s relationship with his students goes beyond the average teacher by giving them a second family within the band.

Despite prior commitments, he flew to Orlando, Fla., for the band’s performance on April 12 for the sake of conducting his award-winning ensemble.

Involved in the music industry since the 1970s, Dayton is a dedicated teacher and musician who has impacted both colleagues and students.

Michael McCormick, a 2009 Wash High graduate who went on to play in Purdue University’s marching band, shared a story about Dayton, who, during a rainy football game, was approached by the opposing band director before halftime, because he was hesitant about performing in the rain.

“Mr. Dayton looked at us and said, ‘I didn’t bring these kids here to sit in the stands for an hour and not play our show … We’re going on no matter what,” shared McCormick.

Dayton is true to his word, which is reflected in his involvement with the West Virginia Brass Quintet.

Fellow member John Schooley said about Dayton’s musical talent, “I shall never forget his bold and beautiful tone, which established a standard of excellence that we attempted to emulate with satisfying results.”

Dayton’s musical abilities have not only transformed the quintet, but have also breathed new life into the music program at Washington High School and its students.

“He has taught me to work hard for what I want, and that practice is one of the most important things in any part of life, not just music,” said current student Brandon Russi.

Countless students from Washington have gone on to create their lives centered around the passion, dedication and strength he brings to the band room.

McCormick recalled the annual band banquet, held to honor the seniors at the end of every year.

“The entire room would have wet eyes, because the Wash High Band was and always is a family,” McCormick said.

Written by Daniel Gysi, Noelle Mckinney, Amanda Reilly, Daniel Gysi, Kayla Rhody and Austin Small, students in the Washington High School College in High School sociology class