JOHN J. GALLAGHER is currently band director at Sagamore Junior High School in Long Island's Sachem Central School District. There, he conducts the eighth grade band and jazz ensemble. He is also an assistant director of the New York State Champion Flaming Arrows Marching Band.
A trombonist, John has performed with the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, The Northport Community Band and The Skyline Brass Quintet, of which he is a founding member. He has also performed in, or acted as musical director for, pit orchestras for Community Theater productions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Anything Goes. He was also invited to sit in the pit for a Broadway production of Les Miserables at the Imperial Theater in New York City.
Before turning to a career in Music Education, John was employed in the field of public relations and marketing communications. He has held positions in the field of corporate and brand marketing, health care communications and has handled public relations for various performing groups.
Mr. Gallagher is a member of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), the New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA), the New York State Field Band Conference (NYSFBC) and the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA). He holds a B.S. in Communication Arts from St John's University and an M.S. in Music Education from Long Island University's C.W. Post College.