10 Questions with Mr. Begale
Get to know LFHS’s new choir director.
September 10, 2021
The voice of the new Choir Director Matthew Begale has been echoing throughout the basement halls; his vibrant energy brings a unique enthusiasm to each Choir class as he hopes to enhance the choral community and give back to his students by communicating valuable life lessons that he learned through his own musical experience.
He strives to shape a mutual vision for this year with his students and not only inspire a love for Choir, but encourage students to love and embrace their true selves through music.
Here are 10 questions The Forest Scout asked so that the community can better get to know Mr. Begale:
1. How did you become interested in music? How does it impact your life?
“It became a thing for me in Middle School where I wanted to do it all of the time. I would play a lot of piano to get through tough times in seventh grade, and it was a good way of getting through it and reflecting on everything, and that is when I knew I fell in love with it. Music lets me process life and think through things that are hard for me to speak out loud, and it gave me so much in terms of what it taught me and what I value in life. I wanted students to have those same self-growth opportunities, and learn to own who you truly are as a person.”
2. At what point in your life did you realize that you wanted to become a Choir Teacher?
“There are two. My All State Choir experience was one of them, and there was a conductor who made me feel empowered, and I just remember thinking that I want to give that to other kids. The other time was when I student taught for a Masters in Performance and realized that I wanted to interact with kids and have conversation, and give back the music.”
3. What is your go-to snack?
“Popcorn! With butter and salt and pepper all the way.”
4. What is a piece of art that speaks to your spirit or personality?
“Architecture and design. Good design and good lines with a long-lasting appeal.”
5. How do you hope to impact the LFHS Choir Program? What goals do you have for this year?
“Right now, I just want to meet them where they’re at. We have to understand who we all are and the community we want to build before we can shape our goals. We will set a standard of community and an expectation for quality, and then craft a vision for the Choir program together; students have visions too.
This year, we will live in the kitchen that was here, and then redecorate together.”
6. Which genre of music do you enjoy the most, whether it is through Choir or personal music taste?
“For fun, it’s usually indie folk or some bluesy jazz, like Leon Bridges—something with soul in it. I like to just be with the music when it’s not my job and not overanalyze it, just live in the moment and enjoy it.”
7. If you could bring back any trend, what would it be?
“The t-shirt with the open button down look.”
8. What is your spirit animal?
“A Giraffe, one-hundred percent!”
9. Who would you choose to play you in a movie made about your life?
“Hmm, Harry Styles, that would be fun. And he could sing too!”
10. Do you have any advice for a high school choir student or anyone hoping to pursue music in their future?
“Trust yourself and your gut, and put yourself out there over and over and over and over and over again. Don’t let others bring you down because you shape your own future.”
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