Palisades Charter High School Welcomes Band Director Peter Ye

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Though school was out for summer, the Palisades Charter High School band program has been preparing for its upcoming season.

In fact, the school recently introduced Peter Ye as its new director of bands, succeeding Tyler Farrell.

Ye is stepping into the role after acting as a student teacher for Farrell, who entered the school in 2019. Farrell said he will be taking on a new role at Pali High, stepping back from the day-to-day work with the program, but will still help with design aspects of the fall show.

“I am very excited for the students and the band program as Peter steps into his new role,” Farrell said to the Palisadian-Post. “He is a phenomenal musician, teacher and person, and I look forward to where he leads the band program. We are lucky to have him.”

A Southern California native, Ye grew up in Oak Park in Ventura County. He said when he reached high school, he got as musically involved as he could.

“I played mainly percussion, drums and stuff, and I was in the marching band, jazz band, concert band … pretty much whatever I could be a part of,” Ye said. “Going into this new role, I actually find myself looking back on my high school experience.”

After high school, Ye went on to obtain a degree in music education at UCLA where he performed with various ensembles as a percussionist, and studied with Theresa Dimond and Gregory Goodall of the Los Angeles Opera. He also performed as a conductor on projects, recordings and performances.

Although Ye took over the band after the Fourth of July, the start of the academic school year marks the beginning of his first teaching role.

“I’m super excited, I’m learning a lot already,” he said. “I learned a lot with Tyler Farrell, he left me a really great program.”

As the Post caught up with Ye, he was preparing for the marching band and colorguard’s preview show on Friday, August 5. The group previewed its competitive show to friends and family in preparation for its first competition on Saturday, October 8, at Ayala High School.

Band members are all expected to follow the five “Pali Band Values,” which are Family, Respect, Discipline, Performance and Leadership.

“Pali Band welcomes every student who is willing to devote his or her time and energy to the organization, regardless of individual circumstances,” the band’s website said. “In return for their dedication, the band offers a home and sense of family to all of its members, and strives to develop an environment characterized by caring and acceptance.”

“Working with the students and parents, it’s been really awesome so far,” Ye said to the Post. “It’s a really great community here. I’ve heard about [Pali High] since I was in high school, then I met a ton of Pali High alumni at UCLA … I’ve been so impressed. All the students here are just great to work with, the parents are awesome, and I’m excited to work with all that and make it a fun time for everyone.”

For more information on the program, visit palihighbands.com.