Boise State University Professor David A. Wells is director of the Keith Stein Blue Thunder Marching Band and BSU Athletic Bands.  He is the founder of Idaho High School All Star Marching Band.  For twenty-five years Professor Wells has been the Marching Band Drill Design Director for the Pearl City High School Charger Band in Hawaii.  He serves as adjunct professor for Vander Cook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois.  Professor Wells attended Kent State University and holds music education degrees from Ashland University in Ohio and from VanderCook College of Music.

Before coming to BSU, Professor Wells directed the marching bands at Murray State University in Kentucky.  He was Supervisor of Music and taught instrumental music in Lexington Public Schools in Ohio.  He began his teaching career in Cuyahoga Heights High School and Hillsdale Consolidated Schools in Ohio.

Professor Wells has served as guest conductor, performer, adjudicator and producer of many nationally acclaimed events. Presently he produces the pre-game and half-time shows for the MPC Computer Bowl in Boise, Idaho. He directs the Idaho High School All Star Band, which marched in the Boise River Festival “River Giants” Parade and the  2004 Tournament of Roses Parade.  Professor Wells has been an adjudicator for the Oahu High School Marching Band Festival since 1990.  He has presented the Cavalcade USA workshops and clinics throughout the country for the last thirty years.  The BSU Blue Thunder Marching Band marched in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in California.  Professor Wells produced the half-time show for the NFL/AFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii, for eleven years and has produced the half-time shows for the Hall of Fame Bowl in Florida and the Holiday Bowl in California.  He originated the “Best of the West” honor band which appeared in the nationally televised Orange Bowl Parade in Orlando, Florida.  Professor Wells was guest conductor and performer with the Pearl City High School Wind Symphony at the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.  He gave the graduation address at VanderCook College of Music, was guest conductor at the Hamamatsu International Band Festival in Japan and adjudicator at the “Easter in Maastricht” music festival in The Netherlands.

Professor Wells is a member of the American Bandmasters Association.  He was awarded the National Band Association “Citation of Excellence.” He received the Medal of Honor from the Mid-West Band Clinic during the concert appearance of his Lexington High School and Junior High School Bands.  He was awarded the “Who’s Who Among Students” from Ashland University.