Peter Michael Pappas

Noted band director and music educator Peter (Pete) M Pappas, age 86, of Tucson, Arizona, died at home on August 10, 2026. Arrangements are being made at East Lawn Palms Cemetery. Viewing will be at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church from 9-10 am and the service will be from 10:00-11:30. A reception will follow at Opa’s Best on Broadway and Swan in Tucson.

Born October 16, 1939 to Mina and Agnes Pappas in Chicago, Illinois, Pete was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Jim and Larry, He is survived by his wife Margene Pappas, brother George (Maria), seven nephews, two nieces, seven great nephews, and five great nieces.

Pete graduated from Argo Community High School, received a B.S. in Music Education from Northern Illinois University and a Masters Degree from VanderCook College of Music and did post graduate study at the University of Arizona. He was Director of Bands at Kelvin Grove Middle School in Lockport, Illinois, and Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois. He served as a guest lecturer, adjudicator, and conductor at the University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, VanderCook College of Music ,University of Arizona, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Nebraska, Duquesne University , University of Nevada at Las Vegas and University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire. Awards included the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award in 1991, the Phi BetaMu Bandmaster’s Hall of Fame Award in 1996 and the John Paynter Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. Upon retiring in 1994 he worked at NIU supervising student teachers until he moved to Tucson, Arizona, with his wife, Margene.

Bands under Pete Pappas’s direction consistently received “superior” ratings. His bands appeared in the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Fiesta, Citrus, Aloha, and Hall of Fame Bowl parades as well as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day, the Hollywood Christmas, and the Indy 500 parades.

Pete was a member of the National Band Association, Illinois and Arizona, and the Texas Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu, and American School Band Directors Association. He was a dedicated member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church and the AHEPA organization, contributing his time to fundraising efforts at their annual Greekfest and the Tucson Meet Yourself event. Pete supports several scholarship programs through the church and for students in music education.

After retiring, Pete continued to mentor, consult, and adjudicate at music competitions. He worked for Entourage Management, a travel company catering to music organization travel, and was a Tucson businessman with investment properties.

Pete Pappas, and his wife Margene, are well known all over the country for the contributions they have made to music education and to generations of band students who have passed along their love for instrumental music to their children and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donation to the St. Demetrios New Church Building Fund, 3939 N Alvernon Way, Tucson AZ 85718.