Back to School 2025 - The leader of band

This year, the members of the Denmark High School (DHS) Band will be following the lead of a new Director as they make their music. Andrew Pagel has been handed the conductor's baton and is now wielding it to shape local young musicians' appreciation and skill. Last Thursday, we met with Pagel in his office to learn more about how he got here and what he has planned for his new band.

Andrew Pagel originally hails from Two Rivers where he attended Washington High School before completing his undergraduate degree in Music Education at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. He then went on to Nova Southeastern University where obtained his masters degree in K-12 Technology Integration. He has previously taught at a number of schools including Algoma, Sturgeon Bay, Burlington and his hometown of Two Rivers. For the last four years, he has taken a break from teaching and worked as an AV Installation Technician for Camera Corner in Green Bay. He has been married for 25 years to his wife, Jodyne, and the two have a 22-year-old son and a 19-year-old daughter. In his free time, Pagel enjoys playing and performing music, working on home improvements and hanging out with his family. He also notes he has the "world's best dog living at my house" who is named Loki.

Pagel explains his love for music comes from his family. His father studied music in college, and his older brother was a professional pianist. He says, "It just kind of happens when you're around it that much." He started playing his own music in 6th grade when learned the saxophone. He said he was led into education when he realized teaching would still allow him to do the "fun music stuff". When we asked what he liked most about teaching, he responded, "Hanging out with the kids," and added, "I have pretty much the same mentality they do."

Pagel says he was led to the position in Denmark for a number of reasons. He explains how he has known Denmark Middle School Band Director Bill Dennee for three decades and has also worked closely with Denmark Elementary School Music Teacher Tammy Carley. He further states, "I've always been aware of the Denmark program and knew it was amazing." He had high praise for former DHS Band Director Karen Johnson calling her "a legend".

Band students already had the chance to get to know Mr. Pagel before their first day of school. In order to be ready to perform for the first home football game in August, Pagel worked with the students for two weeks in August. He says things have been going good so far and remarks, "I'm keeping my head above water." He jokes, "Even after 22 years of teaching, I still feel like it's my first week every year."

When we asked Pagel what he was looking forward to for this school year, he quickly responded, "Everything," and spoke about the upcoming Homecoming Halftime Show, concerts and various other performances. "That's what makes the job so nice," he explains, "It's just one thing after another that I'm looking forward to." We asked why he believes music education is important, to which he said, "I think you create well-rounded young adults." He says working in band helps students develop more "soft skills" including the ability to work together, self-motivation and passion. He also added, "It creates people who appreciate things more."

It is clear, from talking with members of the band, that Pagel is already a hit with his new students. Both of the schools’ two bands are currently hard at work preparing for their Homecoming Halftime Show as well as the Homecoming Parade along with a number of other upcoming performances.