May 5th is Teacher Appreciation Day! We can’t think of a better person to thank than GPG Music Co-Founder Gary P. Gilroy, whom we are honoring as an incredible instructor, mentor and friend for our May Band Director of the Month. Gary’s ability to recognize talent, push students to reach their potential and to pay attention mentoring young people has helped probably thousands of students over the years to become music educators, conductors, composers and adjudicators. Not many are given the opportunity to go into business with their professor. CEO Steve Martin cofounded GPG Music with Gary after meeting his mentor while in high school and following Gary to college. Both GPG’s Spencer Hannibal-Smith and his wife Natalia Tomasello learned their craft from Gary.
Gary is a Professor of Music and Director of Bands at California State University, Fresno. Prior to this appointment, he served for a decade as Director of Bands at Fred C. Beyer High School in Modesto, California where his band was awarded several national honors as well as the International Sudler Shield Award from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Gilroy also served as faculty at CSU, Stanislaus and graduate assistant at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon where he completed his doctorate in 1995. As an adjudicator and guest conductor he has served in 40 states, Canada, China and England. Dr. Gilroy has been the conductor for all state groups in Colorado, Iowa, Nevada and Oregon, as well as the All-Northwest Wind Symphony, the California Band Directors Association All-State Junior High School Symphonic Band and the All-State High School Symphonic Band.
In addition to winning awards, shows and competitions, Gary is a prolific composer. Check out his works with GPG Music here.