Meet Mr. Peterson: GRPS Welcomes New Director of Bands
Families and student musicians filled the Glen Rock High School Media Center on Wednesday evening to welcome Mr. Matthew Peterson, the new Director of Bands for grades 6 to 12 at Glen Rock Middle and High School. The event, “Meet the Band Director Night,” offered a chance for the community to get acquainted with Mr. Peterson and learn about his vision for the Glen Rock Band Program.
The evening began with a half-hour meet and greet, followed by a music reading session open to all students in grades 6 to 12, including those not yet enrolled in band. Students joined Mr. Peterson in sight-reading music in an energetic, informal rehearsal that gave a preview of the season ahead. The event was designed to welcome both returning and prospective band and marching band students, along with their families.
During his presentation, Mr. Peterson outlined goals to increase the visibility of Glen Rock’s bands through participation in local events and broader community performances. He also announced that he hopes to bring back small group music lessons this year, beginning with 6th grade students. In addition, he expressed a strong interest in expanding parent involvement and support throughout the program, highlighting the vital role families can play in the success of student musicians.
Mr. Peterson brings extensive experience to Glen Rock. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Seton Hall University and studied at the American Band College. He has taught for 15 years, most recently at Irvington Public Schools. His passion for the marching arts includes marching with the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2012 to 2014 and performing with Rhythm X Winds, the ensemble that won the inaugural WGI Winds World Championship in 2015. He has also served as a Visual Technician for The Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps and spent three seasons as the Mellophone Technician for the Brass Staff at Fusion Core Drum and Bugle Corps. In 2018, he presented a clinic on Marching Techniques at the New Jersey Music Educators Association.
Joined at the event by his wife and toddler, Mr. Peterson shared his philosophy that “band is a team sport,” emphasizing his commitment to fostering collaboration, discipline, and school spirit through music.
For those who couldn’t attend, Mr. Peterson can be reached at petersonm@glenrocknj.org. The new Glen Rock Bands website is now live and includes program details, schedules, and updates: https://sites.google.com/glenrocknj.org/glenrockbands/home.
