By Julie Marek
The Greenwich High School end-of-year band performance concluded with a grand finale John Williams arrangement.
Yet again, Mr. Michael Breaux and the GHS Band left the audience with goose bumps. They received a roaring standing ovation. My GHS senior son Max, who began studying the saxophone in the fourth grade at North Street School, ended his four year career with the GHS band. With the wonderful help from Mr. Strange at Central Middle School, Max stayed with the saxophone through the horrible pandemic years. Like the hundreds of students in the music programs at GHS, his involvement with the band program brought him great joy. I look forward to my youngest daughter playing on this stage as she continues in this program in a few years.
The Greenwich Public Schools band program is exceptional.
EXCEPTIONAL!
Stellar.
Phenomenal.
Top Notch.
The Best of the Best.
While the GHS Performing Arts Center is a beautiful space, the teachers are the what make the band program stand out.
I would like to especially thank Mr. Breaux for his unwavering devotion to his students and fostering a love of music that will last a lifetime. I did not have the opportunity to learn music as a child, and I often remind my children’s music teachers that they are teaching my children something I cannot.
How can I adequately show Mr. Breaux my appreciation? It is so hard to put into words.
Thank you Mr. Breaux for supporting the well rounded student. Thank you for your selflessness and your understanding that students may have many interests. Thank you for fostering balance.
Thank you Mr. Breaux for being the perfect combination of fun and discipline. Thank you for the times you are firm. Students thrive on discipline. Your students respect you. You have a commanding presence.
Thank you, Mr. Breaux for resurrecting the band program after the pandemic nightmare. Because of you, students experienced field trips to New York City and beyond. You spearheaded a long distance class trip to California and a performance in Disneyland.
Thank you for championing the GHS Pep Band which added much needed music and spirit to every home football game. Because of you, GHS has its very own Touchdown Fight Song.
Thank you for your tireless work on the well regarded Jazz Festival, which draws schools from long distances.
Thank you for your entertainment. Your stories and your presence on stage are a highlight of the concert events. You do more than conducting music. You connect with the audience. You are one-of-a-kind. You make me laugh. You bring tears to my eyes. I especially love hearing about growing up in Louisiana.
Thank you for striving for excellence. Thank you for seeing potential. Thank you for knowing something individual and unique about each and every one of your band members.
Thank you for being a support to my family during the most unexpected challenges.
To all the band teachers who have positively impacted my children, especially Mr. Michael Breaux, Mr. Jason Polise, Mr. Michael Strange and Ms. Jessica Wahlers, I send my heartfelt appreciation. In my opinion, you are Distinguished Teachers, and you are Difference Makers. You are what make the GPS Band Program the best in the state.
To Mr. Breaux especially, I call upon a lyric from a very appropriate Dan Fogelberg song.
“He gave to me a gift I know I never can repay.”
Thank you to the Leader of the Band.