Shepherding 110 students onto an airplane and along the twisting roads of Italy—never mind ensuring that their performances in historic cathedrals are exceptional—is no small feat. But Director of Instrumental Music Jennifer Pagotto and Director of Vocal Music Ryan Manni-Brennan are old hands at this. This spring marked the sixth international performance that Mrs. Pagotto has led at Blair. Mr. MB, as he is affectionately known, has led Buccaneers on three international tours. 

It might be tempting to assume that performance opportunities like this one to Italy are simply routine at Blair. In truth, they are anything but. Each trip is a complicated and carefully layered orchestration—the result of a sustained and collective effort. These international performances offer a glimpse into the rich and wonderful program that Blair has created for musicians, but their foundation is laid much closer to home, day after day, rehearsal after rehearsal, by students and faculty who are fully committed to their work. 

The story of the development of Blair’s music program goes back decades. The truth is that Blair has long attracted students and faculty who value artistic expression, but a few key developments have made the program what it is today. One turning point came in 1997 with the addition of Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts. It gave rise to a new kind of music program at Blair, one that had the resources to champion the development of instrumental musicians, as well as the Singers. With dedicated rehearsal space and an expansive performance stage, the School was able to imagine a bigger future for the performing arts. Just as important has been the dedicated and talented leadership within the music department. Mr. MB will celebrate his 10th year at Blair this year, while Mrs. Pagotto, who is also chair of the performing arts department, is now in her 21st year. Their long tenure and experience have greatly benefited the performing arts program. 

Momentum Starts to Build

Blair’s fifteenth Head of School, Trustee T. Chandler Hardwick III, was there for the beginning of the transformation. He remembers that Blair’s vocalists had a robust presence in those days, but the Orchestra was still in its infancy. “I vividly recall the spring recitals of the early 1990s,” he says. “We gathered after dinner in the Blair Room, where furniture had been pushed aside to make space for the half dozen or so earnest musicians. There was not a stringed instrument in sight, unless you count the piano, and each piece lasted about two minutes, maybe three.”

When Mrs. Pagotto arrived in 2005, she remembers it the same way. “We had a string ensemble of six kids and a wind ensemble of 18. The whole Orchestra was 24.”

Raised by two public school music teachers, her father an instrumental music director and her mother a vocal instructor, Mrs. Pagotto grew up in a house humming with music. Though she arrived at Blair with a clear idea for what the program could become, she also understood that growth would depend on students buying into a shared vision of building a Symphony Orchestra and a Jazz Band. “At that time, most students just took music for one year,” she remembers. “A key part of developing the program has been instilling a culture that this is something you do for four years, that we are a team and we will grow together.” 

But, as interest grew, so did the logistical challenges. With no rehearsal blocks built into the school day, ensembles met during lunch, and Mrs. Pagotto ordered Frank’s Pizza weekly so that no one would have to choose between eating and rehearsing. “We were figuring it out as we went,” she says. “But everyone wanted it to work.” 

And work it did. With the opening of the Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts, Mr. Hardwick recalls, “It was a sea change for both the performing and dramatic arts programs.” Soon, students began signing up in larger numbers and one could feel the momentum building. The lesson, he says with a smile, was simple: “If you build it, they will come!”  

By spring 2009, the Blair Symphony Orchestra was ready for its formal debut. Performing the William Tell Overture and Pirates of the Caribbean, the new Orchestra was met with an overwhelming reception. Those present still remember how the DuBois Theatre echoed with thunderous applause that night, as the student body, faculty and staff rose as one to their feet. The next day, Mr. Hardwick wrote a letter to the School’s Trustees, lauding, “Last night was the fulfillment of what an instrumental music program can really be. The Blair community was elevated: an orchestra in a true performing arts hall and an unforgettable performance from 50 students or more was beyond simply a pleasure; it was a remarkable achievement. The long and rousing standing ovation was thoroughly deserved and felt like it was never going to stop.”

Theatre Director Craig Evans P’05 ’08, who retired last year from Blair and was also in that audience that night, was struck by the musicians’ dramatic rendition of Pirates of the Caribbean. Recognizing its potential, he invited Mrs. Pagotto and the Symphony Orchestra perform the piece again at the School Meeting leading up to Peddie Day. Mrs. Pagotto agreed, and an unofficial Blair anthem was born. 

When Mr. MB joined Blair in 2016, he stepped into a program already on the rise. Working closely with Mrs. Pagotto, the two quickly developed a solid partnership grounded in trust and a shared ambition to balance tradition with bolder new styles. “We have a really good partnership. We have a really easy collaboration that makes it possible to grow,” he says.

One of the notable areas of expansion has been in digital music. Now fully housed in Armstrong-Hipkins, the program features what Mr. MB proudly touts as “the best sound system on campus.” With two voice teachers on staff, Blair students now have more opportunities than ever to take lessons and explore creative music. With the addition of a new mobile recording studio—housed in Armstrong—students are now able to record their work easily, which is helpful for juniors and seniors preparing portfolios for college.

Across all ensembles, expectations have continued to rise. New ninth graders are quickly brought into the culture of high standards and mutual accountability. “The level of music-making has consistently risen,” Mr. MB says. “Even through COVID, it just kept going.” 

Students describe that high bar not as intimidating, but as energizing. Faye Allen ’26, an alto in the Chamber Choir and a section leader in the Singers, credits much of her growth as a singer to working closely with Mr. MB. “He always brings the energy! There’s never a dull moment,” she says. “He likes when you make mistakes. He says that’s how you learn.” As a result, she adds, “I’m not afraid to make a mistake. He’s always there for extra help if we need it.” Khang Nguyen ’26, a member of Blair’s Jazz Ensemble and concertmaster for both the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, credits Mrs. Pagotto with helping him shift from thinking like a soloist to embracing the responsibility of being part of an ensemble. “Before Blair, music was a solitary endeavor,” he says. “She taught me that playing in an orchestra means thinking communally. You are pursuing a shared goal, not just focusing on yourself.”

Today, the music program at Blair proudly boasts exceptional enrollment—73 orchestral musicians and 50 vocal musicians. “It’s great to see how kids are committed to the program,” Mrs. Pagotto says. “The orchestra was averaging 60 kids for a decade, but in the last four or five years, it's been even more.”  

Leading by Example

While there is no one secret to getting students to feel so inspired, there is no doubt after talking to students at Blair, that the dedication and care shown by the teachers is key. Mrs. Pagotto, for instance, spends evenings learning new pieces at her family’s kitchen table, long after her own four children have gone to bed. Each year, as different musicians join the Orchestra, she painstakingly rearranges each score to suit the evolving makeup. 

Students feel that investment. Khang asked Mrs. Pagotto to be his advisor during his sophomore year. “She’s an amazing person,” he says. “She pushes me to be the best version of myself. She gives me so much motivation and support. She’s someone I can always reach out to, even beyond music.” 

Mr. Hardwick sees that leadership as essential: “Unlike so many conductors, who dictate and command,” he says, “Mrs. Pagotto leads by example. That quiet setting of the bar, her expectation for self-discipline and excellence, makes students want to do their best.”

Today, the thriving music program at Blair is anchored by performing groups in vocal and instrumental music. Each year, on the beautiful main stage in the DuBois Theatre, students choose from vocal ensembles for mixed voices, as well as men's and women's choirs, an advanced Chamber Choir and several instrumental ensembles, including Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and advanced ensembles of Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Combo.

Beyond performance, Blair students can opt to take a host of elective courses, including several levels of digital music, curriculum and songwriting and audio production. Vocalists can join the Blair Academy Singers, audition for the Chamber Choir or the student-run A Cappella group. Young musicians can even take private lessons with conservatory-trained instructors and advanced coursework in theory and composition. 

The musical repertoire focuses on tradition and builds upon it. Students still perform works by Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, but are also well versed in the music of contemporary composers like Jennifer Higdon, Florence Price, Christopher Tin and Herbie Hancock. “We perform works written by our own student playwrights and composers,” says Mrs. Pagotto, underscoring the program’s commitment not just to performance, but also to creativity and original voice.

International travel extends this work beyond campus. “Every three years, our ensembles embark on international tours, which are integral to our curriculum,” says Mrs. Pagotto. These trips allow students to perform in historic venues, participate in a cultural exchange with local performers and audiences, and learn from guest directors.

Music on the World Stage

Over the years, Blair students have taken the stage in London, Cambridge, and Oxford; Paris, Prague, Budapest and Vienna; and throughout Italy. They’ve also appeared in New York City the past few years. In April 2024, Blair’s advanced Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Choir and Jazz Combo performed at Merkin Hall, a recital venue that hosts a world-class concert lineup each season. Last year marked a huge milestone when Blair’s musicians performed at Carnegie Hall. “It was a great night for the Blair arts, and many Blair parents joined us from around the world to see their Blair's son or daughter perform on one of the world's greatest stages,” recalls Mrs. Pagotto.

For Associate Head of School Ryan M. Pagotto ’97, the importance of these trips extends far beyond the performances themselves. “There’s something about being off campus and sharing an experience together that is irreplaceable,” he says. Relationships deepen. “It’s the bus rides and getting to know everyone on a deeper level. It becomes an experience you’ll never forget.” 

There is also something particularly special about performing in front of European audiences, where locals come out to hear performances in a way that is unique. Mrs. Pagotto sees the effect on her students. “It is so meaningful to them to have this opportunity. They don’t take it for granted that this is something really special. There is an added attention to detail and in being the best we can be. Knowing that we are ambassadors for Blair and we are representing the best of Blair with the world.” 

For seniors Faye and Khang, performing abroad crystallized what makes these trips so meaningful. Though Faye lost her phone on a previous European tour, the experience remains one of her most vivid memories. “I’ve never had more fun on a trip,” she says. “You find yourself talking to people you’ve never spoken to before. You think, this person is so cool—why have I never talked to them before? When you have downtime, you just start connecting.”

For violinist Khang, the range of venues is part of what makes the experience incredible. He was delighted that he got to perform in settings he could never replicate at home. “I had the opportunity to play in an intimate jazz club in Italy,” he says, “as well as in grand cathedrals. They have acoustics you just can’t get anywhere else.”

Mr. MB, too, values what international travel teaches, though he notes that logistics are always a challenge. “You don’t really know what the space is going to look and feel like until you get there,” he says.  He recalls performing in a French cathedral in Chartres, for example, which was beautiful but had no heat. “That affects our voices,” Mr. MB notes. “You’re shivering,” he says with a laugh. “String instruments go right out of tune quickly, and you stand next to singers you are not used to. It’s a good exercise in being flexible.” 

The trip to Italy this spring had, in fact, special meaning for Mr. MB. Visiting Florence, the students toured the city where he once trained as an opera singer. “I’d love to have found the café I used to have breakfast at and share that experience with the students,” he says. The group also traveled to Cremona, his ancestral hometown on his father’s side. “I returned to the homeland. Though with 110 students, it might not be what my father envisioned!” 

When meeting with prospective families, Mr. MB often points to experiences like these as being emblematic of music at Blair. “It’s wonderful to be able to tell them that once in your Blair career, you’ll be able to make a trip like this,” he says. 

What, then, has driven change over the years to make this program what it is today? Asked what has made the difference, Mrs. Pagotto points first to the School’s culture. “There is true support from the administration,” she says. “All students attend our concerts on campus. Blair has scheduled music classes into the daily schedule. It sends the message that this is a really important part of your experience at Blair.” 

Blair’s Orchestra has also made a commitment to playing with only students. “It’s not our practice to supplement concerts with adults,” she explains. “Some schools will fill in the brass section, for example, with professional players. We’ve made a commitment to finding what works for us, which gives performers ownership and pride. This is their work.”

Looking back on the arc of the Blair music program—from lunchtime rehearsals fueled by pizza to the most recent performances under the soaring cathedrals of Italy—Mr. Hardwick sums it up perfectly: “It is simply amazing how good they are.”