Mahanoy alum leaves legacy as Mifflin County band director

Editor’s Note: The (Lewistown) Sentinel graciously allowed The Shenandoah (PA) Sentinel to share this article, first published in their outlet on May 19, with you.

LEWISTOWN — After 44 years of inspiring young musicians and leading with passion, dedication and a love for music, Art Belfiore is hanging up the baton as Mifflin County High School’s director of bands.

Known to many simply as “Mr. B” and to others as “Mr. Marching Band,” Belfiore was hired to be the band director at Lewistown Area High School in 1991.

When he arrived there were a meager 24 kids out for marching band. As the only director of bands the Mifflin County Marching Huskies have ever known, Belfiore retires with the program at its pinnacle of success.

Under Belfiore — fresh off winning a third-straight Tournament of Bands state title this season, three Atlantic Coast Championships in seven years and a 10th regional title — the Huskies remain a dynasty in the high school’s decade of existence. The regional crowns include both Belfiore’s tenure at Mifflin County and Lewistown.

While Belfiore is certainly the mastermind, he quickly deflects credit to where it’s due — his tireless students, staff and music boosters. Without him, the Huskies will continue to march on, it will definitely be to a different beat.

“I started thinking about retirement last summer,” Belfiore explained. “I decided I would work either one or two more years.

“After discussing it with my wife we decided to talk to other people to decide if it would be financially possible,” Belfiore added. “Once we got that information we had to work on health care, Social Security and a lot of other things to make sure we would be able to do what we would like to do after I retire.”

However, issues with his health pushed up that timetable.

“My back and leg problems have affected my decision,” Belfiore said.

He had hoped to guide the band onto the field at the new Husky Multi-Sports Complex. His body just wouldn’t let that happen.

“I am planning on being in the stadium to support the band at the first performance next fall,” Belfiore added. “I am not sure if I will be disappointed. We will have to wait and see. Once a new director is hired I will offer as much help as that person wants.”

Now, Belfiore’s teaching will be celebrated at a retirement party from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, at Lewistown Presbyterian Church, 17 East Third St., Lewistown.

A service will be held in the church sanctuary from 1 to 2 p.m. There will be a small reception from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, with light refreshments being served. All former students, family and friends are invited to attend.

“Thanks for the memories,” Belfiore said of what he would say to current and former band members and supporters. “It has been great.”

An influence through music

Belfiore graduated in 1977 from Mahanoy Area Junior-Senior High School, located 13 miles southwest of Hazleton in northern Schuylkill County in the southern Coal Region. Back then, marching bands took the field and played in simple formations. Today’s bands include drum corps.

“In the early 1970s, marching band was a different activity,” Belfiore said during a 2022 interview. “The Penn State pregame — that’s what marching band was.

“My band director was the biggest influence on me, other than my parents,” added Belfiore, who many would say has served them in the same capacity.

“Mr. B has been one of the most encouraging people in my life,” said Giovanni Zannino, who just completed his first year at Holy Cross at Notre Dame and marching with the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish marching band. “Because of his dedication to what he does, I strive for excellence in everything I do.

“He has pushed me to do things that have unimaginable benefits, and I will forever be thankful for having Mr. B as my high school band director and, most importantly, a mentor,” Zannino added.

Belfiore’s marching band colleagues also admire his accomplishments.

“Art’s always been a support and a resource for me, and I could not be more thankful for all that he’s shared with me,” Juniata County Marching Band Director Brad Eargle explained. “Throughout my career, I’ve been able to ask him about many aspects of teaching music, and he’s been so generous in using his knowledge and experience to help me grow as a teacher.”

Belfiore also developed his marching band swagger during his teens, which came after a performance on Main Street at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

Career path determined at early age

As a ninth-grader, Belfiore knew that he wanted to be a band director. Following his dream, he marched with The Blue Band and then served on The Blue Band staff. He has worked in five different states and six different high schools but has spent most of his career with the Mifflin County School District.

Under Belfiore’s leadership, the Lewistown Area High School Marching Panthers won three regional championships, indoor programs thrived and the instrumental music program sent numerous students to district, regional, state and all-eastern festivals.

In 2002, Belfiore received the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s Citation of Excellence for his work with high school students.

After guiding the merger of the Lewistown Area and Indian Valley music education programs, these successes have continued with the Marching Huskies winning regional championships and ACC crowns.

Although Mifflin County has been recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation as one of the best school districts for music education, Belfiore has been more than a band director — he has been a mentor, a role model, and a driving force behind the success and spirit of Mifflin County music and marching arts programs.

From the first downbeat of band camp to the final note of the concert season, Belfiore has led with passion, patience and pride, continually focusing students on the joy of successful performance and the lifelong memories that come from personal growth, friendship, teamwork and musical and artistic achievement.

Crowning achievements

Belfiore and his program have been so accomplished, it’s difficult for him to discern his favorites and give them justice on these pages. There was no doubt that the Blue Band was his crowning achievement in college.

“Being a graduate assistant with the PSU Blue Band,” Belfiore recalled. “I got to write, rehearse and conduct a performance for the band. One of my fondest memories was conducting “Nittany Lion Special” with the band postgame at the last home game in the fall of 1989, my last game as a grad assistant.”

As for his accomplishments, placing First at ACCs in the fall of 2021, with the “Phoenix Rising,” theme topped this list. “We were still in the pandemic and the fact that we were able to not just survive but thrive that year is really special,” Belfiore said.

As far as other highlights, the Marching Huskies placing second at ACCs in the fall of 2019, with “Avatar,” certainly ranks up there. “That is one of the best bands we have had at MCHS,” Belfiore quipped.

There was also winning the ACCs in the fall of 2018, with the program, “A Night At The Movies.” “The first ACCs victory was absolutely awesome,” Belfiore said.

Rounding out his shortlist was placing first at ACC’ this past fall, with “Once Upon A Time,” and winning the TOB State Championship in the fall of 2024, with “Angels and Demons.”

“It was the first time we put on a production-type of show and it worked out really well,” Belfiore said of “Once Upon a Time.” And of “Angels and Demons,” he added, “We had a great show and we went out to Pittsburgh to do it. It made the long trip there and back worth it.”

While a new director will be hired, no one can ever fill Belfiore’s shoes.

“Mr. Belfiore has given so much to the high school band program over the last 34 years,” said Mifflin County School District Superintendent of Schools Vance Varner said. “Through Mr. Belfiore’s leadership and dedication, the MCHS Band has become one of the best high school bands in the state.

“His leadership, his guidance, and his dedication will be deeply missed,” Varner added. “Mr. Belfiore is a true professional.”

Looking forward to retirement

What’s next? He’s planning to sit back and relax — a bit — and enjoy the upcoming summer. At least until he feels the itch — probably around the time for band camp.

“My wife and I will go on a vacation for longer than a day or two in the summer,” Belfiore said. “We will also be able to spend more time visiting our families, especially the children and grandchildren.”

We thank “Mr. Marching Band” for the musical memories.

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