By Emily Ward
The way a person discovers the marching arts is something that they will always remember. In Trenton Morrell’s case, his parents, Stephanie and Trent, raised him to love music and the marching arts from a very young age. So much so that they even spent their most recent winter season competing together in a WGI Winds group based out of Westerville, Ohio.
“Music has always held a significant place in our lives,” said Stephanie. “We used to take Trenton to music stores for exploration; he and his grandpa would venture to record stores all across Ohio every weekend, and I’ve lost count of the number of concerts we’ve attended. From a young age, Trenton developed a deep passion for percussion and music. I have photos of him playing on a children’s drum set before he even turned two.”
Both Stephanie and Trent had grown up playing music, with Trent’s talent residing with the bass guitar and bassoon and Stephanie’s with the trombone. The couple had taken a long break from performing, instead using the opportunity to cheer on their son as he performed both bass drum and drum set in the activity that they have always loved. Then, everything changed during a random marching band competition in Columbus, Ohio.
“We were introduced to the WGI’s All-Age Winds Division through flyers that caught Trenton’s attention,” said Stephanie. “Surprisingly, indoor percussion and winds programs are not currently available at Trenton’s school or in the southeastern part of Ohio.”
The family began researching the organization mentioned in the flyer, Westerville Winds, and discovered that Trent’s former middle school band director was a part of the ensemble. They knew it was fate for their son to be a part of this group, so they made sure Trenton could attend the open house the team was hosting.
Trent took Trenton to meet the Westerville Winds group and their directors, Kriss Davis and Mark Maxwell, to see if the program would be the right fit for his son. Upon arrival, Trent talked to the directors about the whole family’s history with the marching arts and even volunteered his wife’s talents to the team. Trent called Stephanie shortly after to break the news.
“I seriously thought I was hallucinating,” said Stephanie. “Then Trent throws in this wild condition that if they somehow find a bassoon, he’ll jump on board too,” said Stephanie. “Who even has a spare bassoon lying around, right? Well, guess what? They actually found one!”
Everyone in the Morrell household was over the moon to have the opportunity to get to perform together, especially Trenton. Not many families get the chance to take the stage together in such an incredible activity. The season was a dream come true for the family for a variety of reasons, some of which were outside of the time spent performing with Westerville Winds.
“The drives to practice with my mom and dad were more than just drives,” said Trenton. “Spending an hour and a half each way talking about everything under the sun brought us closer together in a way that made me feel truly connected to them.”
Trenton’s parents both spoke of the immense joy and gratification they had for their team, their family and their son.
“Achieving a shared goal together as a family was a profound experience that filled us with pride,” said Trent. “Whether it was the intensity of a practice session or the magic of a concert performance, being fully present in those moments and basking in the sense of accomplishment was incredibly fulfilling.”
“We don’t have a ‘field commander’ at Westerville Winds, so Trenton had to keep our group together since he was the only percussionist,” said Stephanie. “That is such a big responsibility for a 13-year-old and something I could have never done at his age. My heart swelled with pride as I observed both Trent and Trenton fully immersed in the moment, cherishing every aspect of this musical journey.”
After an incredible season performing with Westerville Winds, the team took home fourth place in Independent A Class at the 2024 WGI World Championships.
The Morrell’s encourage anyone, no matter their age, interested in joining a winds group to give it a shot and become a part of the activity that so many cherish.
“If there happens to be a Winds Group in your vicinity, I strongly recommend signing up without hesitation,” said Trenton. “My involvement in Westerville Winds has significantly enhanced my percussion skills. I have notably improved my stage presence and performance confidence by actively engaging with the audience, utilizing expressive body language, and effectively conveying the musical message. Every moment invested has proven to be immensely rewarding and worthwhile.”
“Getting involved in WGI Winds has played a vital role in shaping my personal growth by motivating me to set and achieve goals, effectively manage my time, and build resilience in the face of challenge—skills that are truly invaluable in all areas of life,” said Trent. “I strongly believe that everyone can find something truly valuable by being a part of such a supportive environment.”
“For any parents presented with the opportunity to join a WGI Winds group alongside their children, I highly recommend taking advantage of it,” said Stephanie. “The memories we have created, the friendships we have forged, and the growth opportunities for our son as a musician have made the lengthy rehearsals and hours of travel completely worthwhile. The indescribable feeling of competing as a family is truly priceless.”
About the Author:
Emily Ward works as a content creator for OneTouch Direct in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with a concentration in broadcast programming and production. She also minored in psychology. She began colorguard her junior year of high school, and was a captain of Sunlake High School’s Open Class team and has since spun for the University of South Florida.
