After 20 years of teaching, inspiring, and leading the Arroyo High School band, Mr. Joe Massaro is officially retiring. Since starting in the fall of 2005, he has helped build a music program that not only gained recognition across the state but also made a lasting impact on his students’ lives.

“This is my 20th year,” said Mr. Massaro. “I started in the fall of 2005, and every year of the 20 years was great.” Under his guidance, the Arroyo band performed at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. They also won sweepstakes awards and competed against bigger bands—often coming out on top. “I’m very happy with where we are. I’m happy we were able to come back up,” said Massaro.

Students say Mr. Massaro’s biggest influence wasn’t just in awards, but in the dedication and passion he brought to the classroom every day. “He shaped me into the musician I am today by always reminding my bandmates and me to never settle for less,” said senior head drum major Ruby Parra. “There are times where he gets really technical in a musical passage, and we spend heavy amounts of time on the smallest, nit-pickiest details.”

Although Mr. Massaro is proud of all he’s accomplished, he admitted that recent years, especially after COVID, made the job more difficult. “COVID really changed everything,” said Massaro. “After that, I don’t feel like things have bounced back… it doesn’t make me happy anymore.”

He explained how student motivation shifted during remote learning. “During COVID, we told students it was okay to not do work, to sit at home and look at classes through a computer without showing their face. That gave the impression that effort wasn’t necessary,”said Massaro. “The kids who believed in hard work used to be the majority. Now they’re the minority.”

Even with these challenges, students recognize how much he gave. “Good doesn’t come close to the qualities Mr. Massaro provided us as an educator,”said Ruby

For students like senior Joselyn Zhou, Mr. Massaro’s teachings went beyond just playing notes. “He helped me become the musician I am today by taking me out of my comfort zone and making me challenge myself musically and academically,” she said.

Many students also mentioned how much fun Mr. Massaro brought into the band room. “I think I’m going to miss hearing his jokes,” Ruby said. “Sometimes we even quote his jokes. It just shows how much of an impact he’s had on us.”

Even though he’s retiring from teaching, Mr. Massaro isn’t done with music. “I’m going to be adjudicating for SCSBOA,” said Massaro. “WorldStrides offered me a job, and I write, I’ve always been writing, but I haven’t been able to focus on it.”

His advice to students: “Never give up and never surrender. And continue playing music.”

Although a new band director will soon step in, Mr. Massaro’s influence will still be felt. “It’ll take some getting used to,” Ruby Para admitted. “There will be the same type of leadership under the new director, and I don’t doubt it since the new director is also good at what he does..”

As student Johanna Zhou summed up: “His legacy was a long one, and I believe his presence is going to be missed.”

Even as Mr. Massaro leaves the classroom, the lessons, passion, and music he shared will continue to live on in every student who learned under him.