Top Teachers
Saturday, July 19, 1997
Name: Alec Briguglio
Age: 43
Position: Band director
Education: Berklee College of Music; Framingham State College
Pastimes: Watercolor painting
It's the '90s, and the Sacred Hearts Academy all-girls band is making strides in what was once a male-dominated field. Making beautiful music
Alec Briguglio, band director, has turned the program full circle in his first year of teaching in Hawaii. The band has made many public appearances at concerts and parades.
Its biggest accomplishment, though, was breaking it off with longtime partner St. Louis School, becoming more confident in its independence.
"They aren't going to back down to anybody," Briguglio said of the girls who were once intimidated by the loud, athletic-minded boys band.
Briguglio said his success is in the girls' renewed self-esteem, and his inspiration comes from seeing their faces with expressions of accomplishment.
"This is the first year they've sounded so well," said Remee Bolante, Sacred Hearts vice principal. "They are more confident and motivated, and it's because Alec is such a good teacher."
Briguglio's last teaching job was a three-year stint in Costa Rica. He came to Hawaii to be with his brother, an English teacher at Iolani School.
Briguglio's first love is music, and he has been a one-man band in organizing the academy's program. He teaches seven classes a day and started a wind and jazz ensemble.
With 15 years of teaching under his belt, Briguglio said he likes the idea of teaching an all-girls band.
Candace Meierdiercks, Star-Bulletin
