Meet Mr. Mongillo
After graduating from Sarasota High School in 1977 and receiving a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Florida State University in 1981, Victor Mongillo toured the country for three years as a musician with an 8-piece ensemble that included two of his brothers. For the next decade, he lived in Austin, then Chicago, continuing his career as a freelance trumpeter. In 1988, while living in Chicago, he began teaching K-8 music in Chicago public schools.
In 1993, Mr. Mongillo moved back to Sarasota and continued teaching in area schools, becoming the band director at Pine View School in 2008. Mr. Mongillo continues to perform locally in classical, jazz, and theater productions. He has also been a conductor and instructor in the Sarasota Youth Orchestra Program since 2004.
Ever since Mr. Mongillo joined Pine View, the school’s band program has been on an upwards trajectory of excellence and achievement, with great support from Principal Dr. Stephen Covert, parents, students, alumni, and community members. A visit to the band room reveals an incredible display of trophies, evidence of the impact “Monge” has had on the program. But his true influence can be heard in the words of students – they respect, admire, and yes, love this guy!
