Strike Up One for the Band!

The MHS Band marching down Fifth Avenue, NYC on St. Patrick's Day, 1957

If you know MHS Band Director Peter Conti, you know he is a talker. Big time. I cherish our nearly everyday chats where he fills me in on the latest on his family, the band, and what's happening in the community. I also value his institutional knowledge, as Peter is a lifelong Mansfield resident and a proud member of the MHS Class of '76. On many occasions he has shared anecdotes about the halcyon days of the band in the 50's, 60's, and 70's when it dominated the social landscape of our school. These were the days when one-third to one-half of the student body was a member of the band, drill team, or colorguard, and there was a very real sense of cache in being part of it. (Mind you, the sports teams weren't exactly championship caliber in those days.) Additionally, when the band performed in competition, from Boston to Disneyworld to Ireland, it always outshined the other schools. To say the least, Peter's descriptions of the band's accomplishments are epic in proportion.

This point came clearer to me with last weekend's MHS Band Reunion, where members of the band from the years 1950 to 1980 gathered in Mansfield not only to reminisce but to also pay tribute to band director Jim Gallo, who served MHS for 29 years during that era. As part of the weekend's events, last Saturday over 200 band alumni marched down Main Street with our current band, led by Jim and Peter. That evening over 300 gathered at the Holiday Inn for a banquet in Jim's honor. Many had traveled great distances to participate, as far as Washington state and Alabama. As I had the pleasure of attending, I was struck by the deep fondness and gratitude that our band alum had for their experiences and their teacher, Jim Gallo.

Like all great programs in any school, the MHS band had great leadership. Along with the late, great Bob Dolan (who served as the drill team and colorguard director), Jim built up the program from the ground. From speaking with the alumni, it is clear that Jim's passion and commitment were the driving force for such success. Jim ate, drank, slept, and breathed MHS Band, Drill Team, and Colorguard. He had the vision of what it could be and then applied 29 years of hard work to see it though.

But perhaps the greatest measure of Jim's greatness as an educator was his ability to connect with all of his students on a personal level. Not only was Jim a teacher but a mentor to thousands of MHS students. He had that perfect blend of being an authoritative role model that demanded excellence and a caring adult who consistently communicates genuine concern. Although I never worked with Jim or even observed him, this fact was clear from hearing from the alumni individually and during the banquet's presentations. He touched so many lives, and this is the essence of his success. This was true 60 years ago when Jim started... and it is true today.

I am happy and proud that Jim's legacy lives on today in so many ways with his outstanding student, Peter Conti. Many thanks to Peter and the Band Reunion Committee (Chaired by Barbara Kudzol, '62) for putting on a great event!

Jim Gallo leads the alumni and band down Main Street, Saturday November 6

The mentor (Jim Gallo) and his student (Peter Conti) on the town common, November 6