If you hear a huge sob coming from anyone connected in any way to the Howell High School band community, it’s because Jason Smigell, the school’s passionate, popular, creative band director, is retiring.
In the post today on the Howell HS bands blog, Smigell said this:
“I am retiring from band directing at the conclusion of this school year. I held off telling you until I told the kids because I wanted them to hear it first. I have been wrestling with it for months, and I’m very sad right now, but it is the right time and the right thing to do.
“I wanted to let you know how grateful I am for your hard work and service to our beloved program. I hope you feel that I have reciprocated that hard work and dedication. It has been an honor, privilege, and pleasure to serve you and your children.
“This came out of the blue to a lot of the kids, so in case you are curious, I am not getting fired or forced to retire due to scandal or something spicy like that. It is just time to start a new chapter in my life. I have been teaching the past 25 years in public school and having seen the program through the hard part of the pandemic, I feel like I can turn the reins over to someone else with a good conscience.”
All I can do is express my thanks to Mr. Smigell. I’ll also share a piece I wrote about him a few years ago:
(The great photo of Smigell conducting is by the similarly talented Richard Lim.)
