[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1270-E1271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO GARY HOLMES FAGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. THOMAS S.P. PERRIELLO

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2009

  Mr. PERRIELLO. Madam Speaker, today I recognize Gary Holmes Fagan 
upon his completion of 34 years of service to Albemarle County Public 
Schools. For 32 of these years, he served as the Band Director at J.T. 
Henley Middle School, imparting to thousands of young students the 
lasting gift of a musical education. As one of the many students 
privileged to have studied with Mr. Fagan, it is an honor to 
acknowledge his contribution to the community.
  Gary Fagan was born and raised in Frederick, Maryland, the son of a 
teacher and a musician. He earned his undergraduate degree in Music 
Education at Bridgewater College and his master's degree in Music 
Education from James Madison University. He has taught music since 
1973, moved to Albemarle County to teach in 1975, where he lives today 
with his wife, Phyllis. A fellow lover of music, Phyllis will also 
retire this year from her position as Choral Director for Henley Middle 
School. He is active in the Music Educators National Conference and the 
Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association, the American Society 
of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, and the National Band 
Association, as well as playing percussionist with the Charlottesville 
Municipal Band and composing over 30 original pieces of music.
  During his time at Henley Middle School, Mr. Fagan was the recipient 
of numerous accolades and honors from the community and beyond, 
including the Piedmont Council of the Arts Outstanding Educator Award, 
the Central Virginia Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year by 
the UVA chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, the WINA Teacher of the Month, 
National Band Association ``Band Booster Award,'' membership in the 
James Madison University Music Education Advisory Council and the Phi 
Beta Mu International School Bandmasters Fraternity, and a Presidential 
Citation from the Governor's School of Virginia for the Visual and 
Performing Arts at the University of Richmond. Under his tutelage, the 
Concert Band has consistently attained superior ratings at the District 
Band festival, the Jazz Band has brought home 1st place at the Tri-
State Jazz Festival for 3 out of the past 5 years, and the Marching 
Band has received scores of prestigious awards, including trophies from 
the Dogwood Parade, the Harrisonburg Poultry Parade and the Culpeper 
Firemen's Parade.
  Throughout his career, Mr. Fagan has consistently brought out the 
best in each student, whether the student began middle school having 
played music for years or never having read a note of music. His 
students have widely varying backgrounds, abilities, and unique

[[Page E1271]]

talents, but he is always patient, even with a future Congressman who 
struggled to extract melodious sounds from a baritone saxophone. By the 
end of each school year, however, the students have become a cohesive 
team, an accomplishment made evident in the annual spring concert in 
which his students play while marching in formation down 
Charlottesville's Market Street. In helping each student reach his or 
her potential, he has consistently created accomplished ensembles of 
young musicians dedicated to ensuring the school music program's 
continued success. He has been important to my whole family, 
particularly my late father, Vito Perriello, who found in Gary a like-
minded music lover as well as a teacher he could trust to share such a 
love with his--and others'--children.
  Many of Mr. Fagan's students have been inspired to enter the field of 
music and performing arts as a career, and their accomplishments will 
continue his legacy. For those of his students who have gone to other 
fields, his invaluable lessons of teamwork, dedication, and striving 
for personal excellence still persist. On behalf of Albemarle County 
and Virginia's 5th District, I thank Mr. Fagan for his generosity and 
devotion in sharing his talent throughout the years and wish both him 
and Phyllis all the best in their retirement.

                          ____________________