Barrie Wells

YCHS Band Director, 1962-1969
Reunion Advisor

Barrie and Lois Wells grew up in the town of Lincoln, California.  They attended Lincoln elementary and high schools together and were fellow band members.  Barrie played French horn, baritone, and saxophone, while Lois played clarinet, saxophone, and trumpet.  They were in Lincoln High School Concert, Marching, Pep, and Dance Bands together. Barrie also played in a Dixieland Band.  He was the student band director his senior year and was voted by his classmates as “most likely to succeed”.   Both Barrie and Lois were long time members of CSF (California Scholarship Federation) in high school, a scholastic honors association.  Barrie was Student Body President his senior year in school, as Lois served as Vice President of her Junior Class.  Barrie served also as photographer for the El Echo Year Book Staff.  He and Lois were very active in other committees and organizations throughout their years at Lincoln High.  Barrie graduated in 1954 and Lois followed in 1955.

Barrie Wells graduated from University of the Pacific in 1958, with B.A. and  B.M. Degrees.  He completed a Master of Music Degree in 1963 also at U.O.P.  During his seven years at Yuba City High School, Barrie was the band director, taught music theory, and, for a portion of that time,  advised the Modern Music Master’s Club.  He also served as District Music Coordinator from 1966-1969.  Mr. Wells was a pioneer in establishing Northern California high school music festivals.  He left Y.C.H.S. to further his education.  He completed a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Music Education at the University of Oregon in Eugene, in 1971.

Barrie became a Professor of Music Education at the University of North Dakota, at Grand Forks and remained so for nine years.  He taught music education courses, sight singing and ear training, and horn.  While in Grand Forks, Lois taught elementary students in Grand Forks Schools.   With their two sons, they formed a “brass quartet” and played together for friends and neighbors at Christmas and other occasions.  Brent and Lois played trumpet, Craig played trombone, and Barrie played horn.  The boys grew up and entered college.  Barrie and Lois took up cross-country skiing, running marathons, and Barrie played horn in the Grand Forks symphony.  

Barrie later accepted a position at Arizona State University, School of Music in Tempe and taught music education courses for 18 years.  He became a teacher of student music teachers and a developer of teacher training programs.  After 40 years or so as teachers, Barrie and Lois retired in 1999.

They live in Eugene, Oregon near their eldest son Brent and his family, including their only grandson, Sam, who is nine years old.  Craig and his wife live in Davis, CA and he is a Data Entry Specialist for a Medical Research Project at the University of California at Davis. 

Read some of Lois' favorite stories from the 1962-1969 era at YCHS.....