DOWAGIAC — Tuesday afternoon, Shane Oakley, 23, of Berrien Springs, took a short break from his busy schedule inside the Dowagiac Middle School band room.

Though he is only getting a few moments in between teaching and meeting to eat his lunch, Oakely said he could not be happier, as he can now call the band room his home away from home.

Oakely, who was previously an elementary music instructor in Dowagiac, was recently named the new band director for Dowagiac Union Schools. He will be replacing previous band director Justin Makarewicz who resigned and accepted a position as band director in a district near his hometown.

“Dowagiac Union Schools appreciates the hard work Justin has done with the band program.  Justin indicated he has truly valued his time in Dowagiac and is committed to working with the next band director to ensure a smooth transition,” said Deputy Superintendent Dawn Conner in a prepared statement. “Dowagiac Union Schools is pleased to announce that Shane Oakley has accepted the band director position in Dowagiac. … Shane is highly regarded in his elementary music position and was highly recommended for the band director position.”

Oakley said he was honored to have been named the band director, and is excited to get started in the position that has already been keeping him busy with fundamental classes and getting ready for band camp next month.

“This is a dream come true,” he said. “I’m so glad that Dowagiac saw promise in me to take over the position.”

For as long as he can remember, Oakley said he has wanted to be a band director, but in college, the Western Michigan University graduate started on a path to teach choir instead. Despite this, he said he never forgot his goal of leading a marching band.

“Band is where everything started for me,” he said. “So, coming back and being able to live out my initial dream to be a band director is amazing. This is exactly what I wanted for my music career.”

In his new position, Oakley said he is hoping to recruit more students into the band and get enrollment numbers up. He also hopes to bring back field trips for band students and improve the quality of music that the band puts out.

“Through discipline, passion and working together, we can accomplish these things,” he said. “I want us to come together and make music together. I like to have fun. I want the kids to have fun.”

Ultimately, Oakley said he hopes to be successful in his position and to share his love of band with the students he teaches.

“I never thought I would be able to go back to teaching band, so this is more than I ever could have asked for,” he said. “I’m especially excited to be here in Dowagiac. I think this is a great district and a great community.”