Bring Back Breaux: A Plea from GHS Students

By Miller Fishback and Sylvester Pecora III, Greenwich High School Class of 2026

On Thursday, May 29, Mr. Michael Breaux, director of the Greenwich High School Band Department was notified that his position would cease to exist. While offered a position at Eastern Middle School, he was not given any say in this decision, nor was explicitly told why this decision had occurred.

We, Sylvester Pecora III and Miller Fishback, are two juniors at Greenwich High School. Both of us are actively involved in the Greenwich High School music department, and have been since elementary school.

I, Sylvester Pecora, have been a pianist for 13 years and have also studied guitar and violin. At Greenwich Public Schools, I’ve performed with the CMS Jazz Band (2019–2020, 2022), GHS Jazz Ensemble (since 2022), pit orchestra for The Little Mermaid (2025), and the Pops Concert band (2024–2025). I’ve also taken electronic music classes since freshman year. GHS music has shaped my growth as both a person and a musician.

I, Miller Fishback, play trumpet, piano, bass, and guitar, with trumpet as my focus since 4th grade. I was 1st trumpet in the CMS Jazz Band and played in the GHS Concert Band, Pep Band, Honors Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and Full Orchestra. This year, I was selected for CMEA Western Region (11th grade). Music in GPS has deeply shaped who I am.

Many in the Greenwich High School music program are concerned over the recent reallocation of band staff, particularly regarding the movement of Mr. Breaux to a full-time position at Eastern Middle School; we are too. Our understanding of the movement is that it is occurring out of necessity as a result of the number of enrolled students in GHS band courses, as it was stated that Greenwich High School necessitates 4.2 full-time equivalents for the music department. However, it appears that this decision has been made with a lack of understanding of what it takes to manage and maintain a thriving program. Our research has led us to uncover the following consequences:

• The cancellation of innovative programs like Modern Band and reductions to the electronic music program.
• The likely reduction of guitar class, as staff reallocation will necessitate absorption of remaining band responsibilities.
• The likely collapse of our multi-level jazz program into one single ensemble, removing the prestige of our honors group and opportunities for students who cannot make specific time slots.
• An unsustainable workload for the remaining four music teachers, who will be left to manage the entire band program alone—which was noted to require 4.2 teachers anyway.

This unexpected and unwarned adjustment makes it incredibly hard for the current music teachers to handle the courses available. For teachers in the music department, their efforts extend past teaching in a classroom. By reallocating teachers, they must create their own new foundations for programs that were flourishing, causing more stress and therefore a decline in the quality of music education.

Greenwich High School music staff may also have trouble fulfilling extracurricular duties that were present prior. For example, it will be more difficult to take trips like the California trip that grant students incredible musical opportunities, organize massive collaborative efforts among departments like the Candlelight Concert, support the theater department, and perform at other school ceremonies and graduation. This reduction will negatively affect the renown of the GHS music department and will be detrimental to students who enjoy performing in a greater capacity.

 

Not only is this decision unfair to staff members in the GHS music department, but it is also unfair to students. Students who take music classes expect their prowess and education to further during class, and teachers expect the same results. By reallocating a course load to teachers who don’t have the same experience in a given field, students are deprived of the best education possible. While we are certain that the talented music teachers at Greenwich High School will be able to adapt, students, especially those new to music, may struggle to do the same when teachers are still navigating the complexities of the new change. As evinced by the personal anecdotes below, these courses aren’t just mere classes—they are lifelines for many students.

Moreover, this decision threatens the continuity of music education across the district. While we do not doubt that Mr. Breaux would do an excellent job with the Eastern Middle School program in due time, the short-term damage this may cause is immense. The realignment of staff, including Ms. Bryan’s uncertain placement and the potential cut of an elementary band teacher position, creates instability for students and teachers alike. The confusion and cuts at the middle and elementary school levels compromise the foundational stages of music learning, with long-term consequences for our district’s cultural and educational health.

Since COVID-19, Greenwich Public Schools’ music education has been disrupted immensely. Due to executive decisions made by the district that affected middle school band enrollment and elementary school band programs, the size of the program was constricted. At Eastern Middle School, performances were canceled until the spring of 2022, which may have deterred students from participating in music programs. Additionally, by canceling select ensembles at the middle school level, including acapella groups like Grand Central, jazz bands, and chamber orchestras, students who excelled in their musical talents were unable to apply their abilities in the most lucrative way possible. The Greenwich Public Schools music department still must recuperate from the adverse long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and cutting an essential staff position at Greenwich High School will diminish progress made to reverse these negative residual effects.

The Board of Education voted recently to cut $551,000 from the Greenwich Public Schools budget and voted 6-1 on the decision. But, this decision was conditional on one thing: the cuts came from the substitute teacher budget and outplacement; they refused to cut FTEs. While one can make the argument that the staff reallocation did not cut any FTEs due to the open position in the elementary school being filled by Mr. Breaux and Ms. Bryan moving down, the truth of the matter is that an FTE at the high school level was cut. The fact that the employee himself was not fiscally affected does little to mitigate the fundamentally unjustifiable nature of eliminating a full-time position—particularly one so integral at the high school level. Piecemeal cuts and regressive changes resulting from them will not benefit a department already threatened by various external disturbances.

Big shifts in the Greenwich Public Schools music department also make the timing of this inconvenient. Freshmen coming into the high school 2025-2026 school year were third graders in 2020, and strayed away from the band program when made available in their fourth grade year due to the mask requirements. Thus, it is inevitable that enrollment is low, as discussed above. However, cutting a teacher position and minimizing opportunities at the high school level is far from an effective solution. A fifth music teacher creates higher quality programs, and by having a teacher as impressive as Mr. Breaux, students may be incentivized to join the program to reap the future benefits, extending from local jobs to notable international trips.

While we have already spoken about how the decision is logistically and logically unsound, the most unfortunate consequence for students in Greenwich High School’s music program is the loss of an incredible teacher, Mr. Breaux. He is warm, friendly, and welcoming, all the while being passionate and teaching us to be empowered and hard-working humans. He encourages us to make the right choices and be the best we can be but doesn’t overstep his boundaries nor make students feel bad about other priorities (both of us can attest to this). He is wonderful, understanding, and talented, and there is no doubt that his departure would not only cause a rupture in the efficacy of the GPS Band Program but would immensely traumatize the GHS band students who wouldn’t be who they were without him. Many students have stated that seeing Mr. Breaux in the band room is the only time of day that they don’t feel social and academic pressure and discomfort; many simply do not want to go to school if he isn’t there; many rely on the band program as the bedrock to their overall wellbeing.

In addition, it is important to note that Mr. Breaux is likely one of the most qualified teachers in all of GHS, who left his prestigious position as Former Director of Bands and Clinical Assistant Professor of Music Education at NYU to teach at Greenwich High School. He studied music at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Yale University School of Music, and Louisiana State University, working with some of the greatest teachers and players in the entire world. These qualifications demonstrate his potential as an educator—potential that will be misspent in a middle school setting.

Over the past 3 days, we have garnered over 200 responses to a Google Form that asks “Please give a few nice words about Mr. Breaux.” This was issued to a select group of band members and parents and quickly traveled far. The reaction among participants was immediately a yes. Everyone in the GHS community was outraged by this transfer and was overwhelmingly willing to write a few notes.

Some noteworthy messages included:

“Mr. Breaux defined my high school music education. Being part of band was the only four year commitment of mine in high school, and for good reason. Mr. Breaux has amazing energy, knowledge, and kindness that he shares with his students. But more importantly, he has created the current band program in his time at GHS, and it would not be what it is without him. Removing him from this community he has so thoughtfully and tirelessly cultivated would be damaging to the school’s music program and all of the students he helps mentor. I visited Mr. Breaux a few weeks ago and got to see a few minutes of his rehearsal with the freshman band. They were all so happy to be playing and were listening intently to Mr. Breaux’s comments. As a recent graduate, it made me so happy to see a brand new wave of students entering GHS and already being a part of Mr. Breaux’s community. I sincerely hope that those students will be able to continue enjoying Mr. Breaux’s teaching, mentorship, and learning environment that made my Greenwich High experience so special.”
– Hannon Stern/Student/Class of ’24

“He’s one of the only teachers who has ever made me genuinely excited about improving in a class.”
– Isaac Southworth/Student/Class of ’27

“Mr. Breaux is my favorite part of band class. I went into band this year because I didn’t know what other electives to take, and had done band in the past, but Mr. Breaux inspired my love for music and made me realize my passion for band that I didn’t know I had. Mr. Breaux is always there for students if they want extra help before or after class – even if it’s not related to band. He’s always there for students who want to talk about anything in their lives, and truly makes band class feel like a family. He knows how to push students to become not only the best musicians, but students and community members possible, and is a phenomenal teacher.”

– Charlotte Ghinculov/Student/Class of ‘28

“Mr. Breaux’s extreme care and dedication to the program and his classes single handedly make him one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. He cares so much about his students and their success and his impact on them is sure to stick with them.”

– Ryan Pedrosa/Student/Class of ’27

“Mr. Breaux truly knows how to bring out the best in a musician. My mom said every concert how amazing the band sounds and I genuinely think it wouldn’t be possible without him. His knowledge of jazz and music in general is unmatched and he lights a fire under your butt to succeed. He always also showed interest in the players in my band and likes to hear our successes. I was personally a very busy student with sports but he was always understanding and found ways for me to still be involved in jazz. He is a tough teacher for sure but he pushes all of his musicians to be the best they can be. He really cares about the GHS band and the music department and I would hate to see him have to leave it.”

– Pearl Lee/Student/Class of ’25

“I’ve known Mr. Breaux for just one year, as this is my freshman year—but in that short time, he has completely changed my life and perspective, not only about music but about life in general. I come from a family of musicians—my dad especially has always been deeply involved in music and enrolled me in lessons from a young age. For most of my life, music wasn’t something I was passionate about; I mainly pursued it to make my dad proud. But seeing Mr. Breaux’s passion for music and for teaching has truly inspired me. He’s helped me discover a new way of connecting with music—one that I actually enjoy and look forward to. Originally, I planned to stay in band for another year or two before quitting. But because of Mr. Breaux, I’ve decided to stick with it throughout high school. His energy, his jokes, his speeches, his teaching us music and even other languages; everything he brings to the classroom has inspired me to develop a love for music that I never thought possible.”

– Micaella Martins/Student/Class of ’28

“Mr. Breaux’s musical expertise is unmatched in Greenwich High. His instrumental versatility knows absolutely no limits and losing Mr. Breaux would be incredibly detrimental to the high school band students, band program, entire music program, and the entirety of the arts would be shaken and not the same. I spent 2 years working with Mr. Breaux in pit orchestras for the GHS Theater’s Spring Musicals. If that doesn’t say enough, I don’t know what will. As a Teacher, Mr. Breaux is going out of his way to take up what would be considered an ‘extracurricular activity’ for students and help support the musical, creative, and artistic endeavors of cardinals as much as he possibly can.  Mr. Breaux is such an individualistic, talented, and poised person and teacher. His emphasis on building personal musical connections with students is what has made the GHS band as good as they are. Moving Mr. Breaux down is objectively a bad decision, and I am strongly against it as are many other students. Do not let the arts die.”

– Aidan Acevedo/Student/Class of ’25

“Mr. Breaux is one of the most dedicated teachers I have ever had in all of my schooling. He is deeply committed to the music program and its students. He brings a powerful and inspiring energy to all of our rehearsals and concerts and has an incredible ability to get stuff done. Even though Mr. Polise is an incredible teacher as well, nothing we have accomplished in our wide array of bands and ensembles could’ve been done without Mr. Breaux. He has devoted countless hours and resources to the GHS music department and has given more than anyone could ever imagine. My peers and I are fighting for the well-deserved career of a beloved teacher.”

– Cole Ewen/Student/Class of ’27

“I was lucky to be able to work with Mr. Breaux for all 4 years of my high school career. He was the teacher that most shaped my life in a positive way, much like a parent. Not only is he the most incredible musician and most intelligent person that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, he was able to reach his students musically and philosophically in a way that no other teacher can. He taught me how to read music, how to play multiple instruments, answered each and every question that I had about music, inspired me to go to music school, and was always there for each and every one of his students. When I finished Senior year, I wrote him a note simply thanking him for all that he had done for me, and that very same day, a letter addressed to me was sitting on my music stand. This was the most thoughtful thing anyone had ever wrote to me and it is something I will always cherish. His innate sense of reaching people will be lost on younger students. This will be a total shame because it’s one of the things he does best.”

– Alex LaPadula/Student/Class of ’25

“I wonder how many involved in the decision with Mr. Breaux have actually been to a concert at GHS.  His passion for the students and his job is so special to see, especially as a parent.  For some of his students, music is all they have as their “sport”.  He helps in fulfilling their dreams and has changed many of their lives, my son included. It’s an awful shame in this town and at this school that these decisions have to be made. Losing him in this program at GHS will have a huge impact on all.  I wish there could be a reconsideration and hope someone will take a closer look to see just what a huge asset he has been to the GHS music department.”

– Alissa Pecora/Parent of Student (Class of ’26)

“I’ve had the fortune to receive Mr. Breaux’s instruction during our preparation and performance of the Candlelight concert, which was a considerable success. Mr. Breaux exuded the proficiency, expertise, and communications skills that not only synchronized us, but drew from us teenagers our receptiveness to musical passion. He will be dearly missed amongst those he only formally taught a few times because his humorous creativity and personal geniality elevated our performances with him from the musical level to the artistic level. This is the best compliment I can offer a director.”

– Khalil Touliopoulos/Student/Class of ’26

“Mr. Breaux was undoubtedly my favorite teacher across all four years of high school. He’s incredibly passionate about his work, both in teaching and music itself. Through him, the band program has been elevated greatly. Every band sounds great due to his work, and I can scarcely imagine a band class without him. I always looked forward to his class, to his humor and to his expertise throughout the school years. Mr. Breaux was one of very few people in the school that I felt like I’d be able to talk to if I were going through anything. He was the best band teacher I’ve ever had, and chances are he’ll continue to be that even after I enter college. Mr. Breaux made a lasting positive impression on all who met him, and it would be a shame if it stopped here.”

– William Chase Greubel/Student/Class of ’25

“Mr. Breaux was the catalyst for my passion for music. He made me into who I am, and I’m not sure who I would be without his influence. The countless hours I’ve spent practicing my instruments in the practice room were because he inspired an intrinsic motivation to do better, and I strive to be the player he is. His eccentricity only adds to his charm, and I always thought of him as that one odd but congenial uncle you always see at family gatherings. I hope that he can stay at GHS so he may have a comparable impact on other similarly seemingly uninspired kids.”

– Rex Lu/Student/Class of ’26

While it is easy to dismiss this as “something that happens in large school districts,” it simply wouldn’t be fair to the Greenwich Public Schools music community. To many, losing Mr. Breaux is like losing a parent. High school is not easy, and Mr. Breaux made everyone’s day a whole lot brighter. Us students, parents, and those who care about the Greenwich Public Schools music community will not let him go without a fight.

The battle to retain the fifth music FTE position and Mr. Breaux’s occupation as a teacher at Greenwich High School will continue. This decision was unfairly delivered and misinformed, and—as the enormous amount of support from our community has demonstrated—it will have undesirable ramifications that will weaken the accountability of those who made this decision.

Join us at the Board of Education meeting this Thursday if you are interested in supporting this cause. Students will be wearing concert black attire in solidarity with Mr. Breaux and the GHS music department, and we encourage all of those attending in support for the same cause to wear all black as well.

We believe that this fight is not one that can be fought alone. It takes a village and a full orchestra too.

Click here if you want to add a comment on the Google form.