Arnold F. Weese served as the band director and music department chairperson at Philip Barbour High School from 1968 to 1983. Before coming to direct the Colt band, he had gained a wealth of experience in the service as band director of the 87th United States Army band in Germany. He also taught in Coshocton, OH, Tygarts Valley High School, Kasson High School and Belington Junior High on the road to PBHS. Arnold retired from public education from Philippi Middle School in 1989.
During his tenure at PB, the school band grew from 30-some members to nearly 150 at its peak. Known for its quick cadence of 120 steps per minute, the Colt band became popular across West Virginia. As the group earned awards and honors in the state, local citizens and music lovers began referring to the PB band as “The Pride of Barbour County.”
Known for his colorful style, Arnold held high expectations of student discipline, conduct and dedication for his students, in school as they represented the school and community. Even today, his alumni fondly recall referring to themselves as “Arnold’s Army.”
The West Virginia Department of Education recognized Philip Barbour’s “Strings” program, an elective created by Mr. Weese and open to all students, as the first guitar class in the state. Its success led to the formation of the “PB Singers,” whose variety shows were performed across the Mountain State, serving as ambassadors for the county and the school. Another honored tradition that continues to this day, the annual All-County concert, brings together student musicians from all of the schools in Barbour County, came to be during Arnold’s tenure at PBHS.
In October of 2017, Mr. Weese was inducted into the West Virginia Marching Band Directors Hall of Fame. For many years following his retirement from the school system, Arnold owned and operated a music supply shop for many years in his hometown of Belington, where he and his wife, Patricia, spent their golden years. Arnold passed away on December 16, 2020, at the age of 88 years.
During his tenure at PB, the school band grew from 30-some members to nearly 150 at its peak. Known for its quick cadence of 120 steps per minute, the Colt band became popular across West Virginia. As the group earned awards and honors in the state, local citizens and music lovers began referring to the PB band as “The Pride of Barbour County.”
Known for his colorful style, Arnold held high expectations of student discipline, conduct and dedication for his students, in school as they represented the school and community. Even today, his alumni fondly recall referring to themselves as “Arnold’s Army.”
The West Virginia Department of Education recognized Philip Barbour’s “Strings” program, an elective created by Mr. Weese and open to all students, as the first guitar class in the state. Its success led to the formation of the “PB Singers,” whose variety shows were performed across the Mountain State, serving as ambassadors for the county and the school. Another honored tradition that continues to this day, the annual All-County concert, brings together student musicians from all of the schools in Barbour County, came to be during Arnold’s tenure at PBHS.
In October of 2017, Mr. Weese was inducted into the West Virginia Marching Band Directors Hall of Fame. For many years following his retirement from the school system, Arnold owned and operated a music supply shop for many years in his hometown of Belington, where he and his wife, Patricia, spent their golden years. Arnold passed away on December 16, 2020, at the age of 88 years.