James R. Wells, retired professor of West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania, could be considered one of the most influential and innovative band directors of the late twentieth century. Wells influenced and mentored many current leaders in the music education field as well as created educational music programs that continue today. In the 2016–2017 school year, Wells’s ensemble music adjudication festival programs involved more than 220,000 students. To gain further insight into the origin and development of these leaders and programs, I conducted an oral history case study with Wells. I collected interviews, e-mail correspondence, and artifacts provided by former students and colleagues of Wells’s to provide additional facts and corroborate Wells’s memories. Results demonstrated Wells incorporated comprehensive musicianship and aesthetic education in marching band pedagogy, professional development and educational experiences for music educators through films, workshops, and adjudicated festivals. He also empowered student leadership and promoted gender equality in instrumental ensembles. Knowledge gained from this study provides insight into the origin of these important music education individuals and programs. I hope that the findings in this study serve as an inspiration to future music educators as they continue to improve and create new experiences and opportunities for students.

中文翻译：

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前进：詹姆斯·R·威尔斯（1931–）的音乐教育创新和遗产

James R. Wells 是宾夕法尼亚州威彻斯特市威彻斯特大学的退休教授，可以被认为是 20 世纪后期最具影响力和创新精神的乐队指挥之一。威尔斯影响并指导了音乐教育领域的许多现任领导者，并创建了至今仍在继续的教育音乐课程。在 2016-2017 学年，威尔斯的合奏音乐评审节项目涉及超过 220,000 名学生。为了进一步了解这些领导者和计划的起源和发展，我与威尔斯进行了口述历史案例研究。我收集了 Wells 以前的学生和同事提供的采访、电子邮件通信和人工制品，以提供更多事实并证实 Wells 的记忆。结果表明，威尔斯通过电影、讲习班和评审节，将全面的音乐素养和审美教育融入了军乐队教学、专业发展和音乐教育工作者的教育体验中。他还赋予学生领导权并促进器乐合奏中的性别平等。从这项研究中获得的知识有助于深入了解这些重要的音乐教育个人和计划的起源。我希望这项研究的发现能够启发未来的音乐教育工作者，让他们继续改进并为学生创造新的体验和机会。他还赋予学生领导权并促进器乐合奏中的性别平等。从这项研究中获得的知识有助于深入了解这些重要的音乐教育个人和计划的起源。我希望这项研究的发现能够启发未来的音乐教育工作者，让他们继续改进并为学生创造新的体验和机会。他还赋予学生领导权并促进器乐合奏中的性别平等。从这项研究中获得的知识有助于深入了解这些重要的音乐教育个人和计划的起源。我希望这项研究的发现能够启发未来的音乐教育工作者，让他们继续改进并为学生创造新的体验和机会。