By Lucas Greifzu – Editorial Editor 

There are several new teachers at Jonathan Law this year, including a new band director, Mr. Pelaggi. He has classes ranging from Concert Band and Music Theory to Guitar and Piano, as well as Music with iPads and Peer Assisted Music. A graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Pelaggi is excited to start his year at Jonathan Law. Advocate editorial editor Lucas Greifzu interviewed Pelaggi about the upcoming year in music.

Lucas Greifzu: Why did you decide to come to Law?

Mr. Pelaggi: I really wanted to come to Law because it’s a great opportunity for me to be a lot closer to my family, and still be working with awesome musicians. My last school was great and I really loved it, but this place was a great opportunity for me to further my career. So far I’ve really enjoyed the administration and everybody that I have met at Law. Through the interview process I really got to see how different it can be when everyone has a positive attitude, so I’m really happy to be in a place where everyone is super positive all the time.

LG: How has the start of the year been for you?

MP: I think that the start of the year has been awesome. We had a pretty good band camp with the students that came. We had a really nice rehearsal in our first band rehearsal yesterday, and our general music classes have been going really well. In guitar we are moving along, and in music theory I’m challenging the students a little bit and getting them out of their comfort zone. But, yeah, so far things have been moving pretty swimmingly, the band kids are really playing at a high level, so we’re going to have a great start to the season this year. 

LG: What are you most excited for this year?

MP: I think that I’m most excited for our first concert, and the performances toward the end of the year. Our big performances for band are going to be really good this year, I think. I’m really excited to dive into the concert music with the students, and hopefully give them some new insight on how to improve themselves.

LG: What’s your philosophy on teaching?

MP: I would say that my biggest philosophy for music education is more students doing more music more of the time. I really want the program here at Law to grow, and I want to give everybody at Jonathan Law the opportunity to be in music class, and to discover their musicianship no matter if they’re in a performing ensemble or not. So, I want to make it as open and give as many kids a chance to make music, or to learn how to make music as I can.

LG: What advice would you give your students?

MP: I would tell my students to come in and trust me as I’m going to trust them. If they trust me then we’ll have a really good shot to all improve, including myself and including them. The faster that we trust each other, the more that everyone can learn.