Goodbye, Mr. Bernotas

Read Time:11 Minute, 59 Second

Whether he’s sporting a viking hat at a football game, conducting a show-stopping number in the spring musical, or simply sharing a smile at the end of the hallway, Mr. Bernotas is always there. And he’s been there for MLHS for twenty-five years now.

Not only does Mr. B bring sunshine to our school, but he shines on the music world as an accomplished, published composer and trumpeter. Under Mr. Bernotas’ name, you can find countless, widely-played band pieces, a series of popular practice books, and more.

Given his many strengths, it is no surprise that Mr. B has been snatched up by Alfred Music publishing company. After this school year, Mr. B will be head editor for all strings compositions at this company. As Mr. B has put it, this job allows him to continue teaching and working with students, just in a different way. And although we cannot imagine the MLHS stage without his infectious energy, we couldn’t be happier that he is moving on to pursue his impeccable talent and passion!

As if we needed to prove how blessed we have been by his influence, we have included the following quotes from MLHS band students, explaining why Mr. B is so, so special.

What is your favorite memory of Mr. B?

Donovan Menard: His yearly Valentine’s Day advice session, which is culturally significant enough to be placed in the Library of Congress.

Mitch Tomaszek: A lesson I had this year with just him and me. He was just slingin’ jokes the whole time; it was a blast.

Lucy Horowitz: Back in fifth grade, the Wildwood band played Air Force One. Mr. G mentioned that it was by the high school band director, and I felt very accomplished when we played it because it was by an Official High School Person and because it had eighth note runs, syncopation, and accidentals (oh my!). I would try my hardest not to smile and ruin my embouchure during my favorite sections, but it was futile. For me, there have always been songs with certain parts that I couldn’t help but smile at, but Air Force One was the first such song I actually played. Air Force One was my favorite piece from all of elementary school, and I didn’t realize how important the composer would be in my life until I got to high school. Every once in a while it will get stuck in my head, and every time I think of how Mr. B has shaped my growth as a musician since I was just a fledgling flautist.

Andie Credidio: When he wore the viking hat at a HERD game.

Madison Orlofski: My favorite memory of Mr. B would have to be band lessons with him these past four years. He’s always happy to joke around and talk about our lives or show us some hilarious clip on YouTube that he found in the band teachers’ Facebook group.

Katie Stitt: Mr. B proudly displaying all of the student-made Photoshop memes on his office door.

Kristen Leba: I think my favorite memory of Mr. B is all his happy-filled emails he sends us once in a while. It’s funny to me because every time he sends one, it always happens to be a day when I’m upset about something or just not having a good day, and when I open his emails I actually smile. So thanks, Mr. B, for cheering me up 🙂

Ashley Chen: My favorite memory of Mr. B is sitting around during band lessons and talking about deep topics that should be discussed more often.

Anabelle McGinley: Meeting him for the first time and fangirling over Mythos. But since then, every Mr. B memory has been amazing.

Rebecca Reagan: Mr. B would give life advice every pit orchestra practice, ranging from eating dessert before dinner to never settling. It always brightened my day.

Nate Horowitz: Playing in the pep band with him.

Dante Sinatra: Disney 2019.

Ryan Shanker: Him laughing while Derek yells at him during lessons.

Emily Hsiang: The pit orchestra was accompanying a run-through of The Addams Family in my freshman year and, as the character Pugsley said his line, “First comes love, then comes–”, there was horrible, loud microphone feedback, then Mr. B said, “That usually does come after love.” Also, his bromance with Mr. Deamer in the pit was really fun to watch.

What would you like to say to Mr. B as he moves on to the next chapter?

Donovan Menard: I wish you the best of luck, and thank you so much for making the band experience so memorable and enjoyable!

Mitch Tomaszek: When you look up at the moon, think of me.

Andie Credidio: Everyone from MLHS is rooting for you! You are going to do great.

Madison Orlofski: Thank you for everything, for teaching me so much, and also for the fact that I never had a bad day that you couldn’t improve.

Katie Stitt: Good luck and keep making wonderful music.

Kristen Leba: Mr. B, congratulations first of all!! Everyone is so very proud of you, but it’s bittersweet. Of course we’re proud of you for being able to open up a new chapter in your life, but we’re all going to miss you. You’ve been a dad to some of us, and it’s always a great way to start our day to have you say your silly dad jokes 🙂

Ashley Chen: Good luck! You will be missed. Thank you for everything!

Vibhat Rai: All of your music is exceptional, and you already have the access to confidence you need to succeed.

Dante Sinatra: You have really helped me as a trumpet player, and I thank you for the teaching you gave me. You’re the best trumpet player I’ve ever met; I will miss you a lot.

Ryan Shanker: Good luck! I think you know a lot of music, so you’ll probably do fine, but good luck anyway!

Leon Xie: Congratulations! I hope you will be as successful at your new job as you have been here in MLHS. They are lucky to have you for sure, and I know you’ll do great things. Best of luck!

What do you wish other people knew about Mr. B? How should he be remembered?

Donovan Menard: He is extremely welcoming and inclusive, and genuinely encourages any student of any skill level to join band. His friendliness, passion, and humor are contagious and brighten up our days.

Mitch Tomaszek: He used to have an awesome mustache.

Andie Credidio: I think everyone already knows he is one of the most kind-hearted people, and I think he will be remembered for a long time.

Madison Orlofski: Other people should know how wonderful and caring Mr. B is, how he always takes an interest in us, and how he always has an interesting story to tell if you sit down and listen. I don’t know how to express how Mr. B should be remembered in this school.

Katie Stitt: He was our teacher as well as our friend.

Kristen Leba: Other people who have never taken band with Mr. B are missing out, lemme just say that. Because I’ve never met a teacher like him before. Mr. B loves all of his band students and has taken the time to get to know each of us and I think that’s pretty amazing.

Anabelle McGinley: He should be remembered as one of the best band teachers to ever lift a baton (and as a pun master).

Rebecca Reagan: Mr. B is the heart of the band program. The music department will not be the same without him.

Vibhat Rai: He is a guy you can really crack jokes and laugh with while knowing you’re constructing yourself into a better musician/person.

Dante Sinatra: His pieces of music and unbelievable trumpet playing.

Ryan Shanker: As a god-tier level band conductor with unparalleled enthusiasm for music and for teaching music to others.

Leon Xie: Not only was Mr. B a wonderful band director, but he was also someone you could always talk to.

Emily Hsiang: Maybe the pit orchestra for Beauty and the Beast wasn’t the BEST, but the pianist hired by the school that year threw a fit in front of the whole pit in which he went off to Mr. B about how unfortunately bad the pit orchestra sounded. I will never forget the way Mr. B then defended us kids to him, reminding him that we were just kids who were working hard. This instance acts as a very accurate reflection of Mr. B’s attitude towards the band program and the kids who make it up; he loves us for the effort we put in, and I believe that receiving that kind of love as a high school kid is extremely important.

How has Mr. B impacted your personal experiences and/or made the band program better?

Donovan Menard: Mr. B radiates positivity and makes band rehearsals enjoyable and stress-free while still pushing us to improve. It’s always a fantastic way to start the day.

Mitch Tomaszek: Well he pretty much introduced me to the world of music playing, I didn’t start with the band till junior year but he made me feel welcome and pushed me to improve.

Andie Credidio: Whether I talk to him about band or something personal, he always takes it to heart. The fact that he cares so, so much makes the band program so much better.

Madison Orlofski: Mr. B works tirelessly to make not only the bands that practice every day better, but also keeps the pit orchestra and jazz bands up and running. Without Mr. B, we would absolutely never make it through the entire Into the Woods soundtrack in two rehearsals, and if we did, half of us wouldn’t survive. He is so patient, helping us when we need it, but also stepping back and letting us figure it out. I will never forget him half singing half saying the lines to “both sides of the coin” from Edwin Drood.

Katie Stitt: He’s made me look forward to waking up at the crack of dawn to get to band, even when I haven’t had him as a teacher.

Kristen Leba: Mr. B just makes me happy whenever he says his corny jokes. And I think everyone should hear them.

Anabelle McGinley: I entered high school last year with the intention of quitting band after freshman year. I didn’t really love playing my flute anymore. Meeting the B’s completely changed that for me, and here I am! Mr. B is truly a great person, and super fun to be around.

Alison Quade: Before reaching MLHS band, I never appreciated music the way I do now. Mr. B has given me a reason to fully enjoy and appreciate pieces of music, and he makes learning fun. Freshman year, going into band, I didn’t know anyone else who played the flute, but Mr. B quickly squashed my anxiety through his corny jokes and pleasant attitude. I am thankful for the time I’ve had with Mr. B at MLHS!

Vibhat Rai: He has made band more of a passion for me and has fostered the seriousness of the regard I hold music in.

Alia McLaughlin: Mr. Bernotas constantly has a smile on his face and he strives to bring out the best in everyone. He takes the time to know each and every one of his students and he encourages everybody to participate and share their talents. His energetic spirit and passion for teaching reflect his dedication and care for the band program. All these great qualities make him such a memorable band teacher.

Nate Horowitz: He has helped me improve my cv drumming.

Dante Sinatra: Made me so much better and brought so many people in the program.

Ryan Shanker: I have a more renewed interest in the field of music, I listen to music differently now, and the band program has expanded since Mr. B showed up because of great word of mouth.

Leon Xie: He is a great director that keeps the entire band together. He has had a personal connection with each student and will be dearly missed by the MLHS band.

Kyla Hunter: Although I am now reluctant to admit it, when I was in seventh grade, I wanted to quit band. I asked my mom to return my rented clarinet… but when I came home from school I found out that she had bought it instead. I regretted that decision until the moment I came to Mountain Lakes and first met Mr. Bernotas. I’ve lived in four different towns and had five different band teachers, but I had never encountered a teacher who cultivates such a wonderful community in the same way as Mr. B. His genuine enthusiasm, delightful personality and endless support truly made me once again love band.

Emily Hsiang: Whenever I want to sell band to younger kids, I always tell them, that being in band is like having a home at school. And it’s totally true that returning to the band room is like having a cozy, comfortable, open home base. Without a doubt, Mr. Bernotas is the person to thank for the warm, caring environment surrounding the band program. I don’t know what it would be like to go through high school without such a positive, encouraging environment. Band is a family, and Mr. B is our dad!