Music Like No Other: Brunswick Middle School Band Director Gary Allen
By Abigail Hammond, BEAT reporter
BRUNSWICK, OH- Everyone likes music; it could be rock, pop, classical, country, and more. Just one song can make someone's day. Gary Allen, Brunswick Middle School’s band director, teaches students how to succeed in music and bring a tiny bit of joy into someone’s day.
Allen didn’t always want to be a music teacher. He actually wanted to be a math teacher, but he pursued a different path. "I knew for sure that I wanted to teach, but my true passion was band and music,” said Allen. “Between 11th and 12th grade, I decided to shift gears to music education. To broaden my musical background before college, I spent my senior year diving into everything I could—joining choir, show choir, and orchestra, and even stepping out of the pit orchestra to act on stage.” Allen realized that yes, he loved math, but he wanted to do music instead.
Allen went to the University of Akron because of the amazing music and music professors. They set high expectations, but it pushed him. They had been teaching for almost 30 years, showing their commitment to the school and its students. Allen realized it was the place for him and was the best choice overall for him.
When he was growing up, Allen was inspired to be a teacher by two Berea City Schools teachers: Scott Piesen, his math teacher, and Kenneth Bettinger, his fifth-grade band teacher. They both were a significant part of where he is today, and how his teaching style is. Bettinger was a role model music teacher, who he wanted to be. Piesen was caring, respectful and always encouraging. “I will always remember overhearing him encourage a student to take an honors math class when the student doubted his own capabilities,” said Allen. “Mr. Piesen's belief in his students, paired with his empathy, left a lasting impression on me."
Both of these teachers made a lasting impression on Allen. “I hope to impact my future students' lives as meaningfully as they impacted mine,” he stated.
Allen was shaped by his environment, and past teachers and professors impacted him greatly. “I feel incredibly blessed to teach in Brunswick City Schools," he added. "I genuinely love teaching middle school band, and especially getting to watch my students grow over several consecutive years. I honestly couldn't imagine doing anything else!”
Abigail Hammond, Brunswick Middle School, is one of over fifty student “backpack journalists” (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program, celebrating its 25th year, is sponsored by Donut Land, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, MODA Gifts, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club. Go to https://www.bcsoh.org/community/new-beat-site to learn more about the Program, or visit https://thebeat.viebit.com/?folder=ALL to view videos produced by the students.
PHOTOS: Gary Allen; Brunswick Middle School Music Room.