Orchestra. WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was among a number of people who wrote letters of recommendation in support of Vitales nomination. This is just the tip of the iceberg, Carney said. Thank you for continuing to support the WHS Bands and Guard programs during these unusual times. If I can teach that and foster a love and appreciation for music along the way, then I think Im doing everything I set out to do as an educator., Westfield Public Schools302 Elm StreetWestfield, NJ 07090Phone: (908) 789-4400, Falynn Balassone Ive been impressed here. Gahr High School Marching Gladiators. Remy Samuels 2/10/2022. Phone: (317) 867-6800. He said he still has 30 students in the band at WTA.Kennedy said he is using Google Classroom this year, and the district was fortunate to buy a program for all the kids called SmartMusic, which allows music teachers to buy music to let students work on it at home. Through music we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork, among other things, he says. Stay updated with what's happening at Westfield High School with News You Choose Sign Up Now . A strong proponent for musical enrichment in the community, he was deeply involved with the UCLAMusic Performance and Education Outreach Program. In 1999, a jury awarded $2.5 million to a former student who was 13 when science teacher and track coach Clifford Scofield began a sexual relationship with her. More than 70 high school bands joined the non-profit organization in its first year. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. The kids have been great in wearing the masks, and staying socially distanced. Your Email. Our team of veteran educators and designers brings 100+ years of combined experience in the activity. For so long, he was treated like this venerated figure.. For some kids, the online thing isnt for them. Vitale also co-founded the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association (NJMBDA) in 2020, with more than 70 high school bands joining the nonprofit organization in its first year. Salad, Sandwich Shop To Open Very Soon In Westfield, Union County Celebrates Arbor Day 2023 with Free Trees for Schools. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. I wonder where Id be today if it wasnt for this person who turned my entire world upside down, said the former student, now in her 50s, who later married and had children. We hope to have that partnership in place, to share some music with the community, and have the kids perform in a different type of venue, he said. Central Jersey Music Educators Association. WHS Band Director Patrick Kennedy said [] WESTFIELD After an earnest appeal from High School Band Director Patrick Kennedy, the School Committee unanimously approved soliciting bids to replace the high school band uniforms, which are 25 years old and wearing thin. 18250 N. Union Street . I think theyll come back once things change. Vitale said his nomination was completely unexpected. Here in Southern California, Mr. Lee has been on the musical staff of the Santa Monica Youth Orchestra a tuition-free orchestra program for young musicians, where he served as a musical instructor and also ran a weekly after school musical enrichment program as the Musical Artist in Residence at Virginia Avenue Park. A former student, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Roe 2, said Elgas began keeping her after class to touch her breasts when she was in eighth grade in the late 1970s. "Through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork," Vitale said. Enrollment in the WHS Bands has doubled since his arrival in 2011. Westfield High School Band Director Christopher Vitale has been named to the 2022 "40 Under 40", a music education advocacy program launched by Yamaha last year to "recognize outstanding music educators who are making a difference by growing and strengthening their music programs." 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A junior high school band director from Anaheim molested eight students from the 1970s to the 1990s, forcing one girl to have two abortions, a lawsuit alleges. Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States under the age of 40 who meet the programs criteria of action, courage, creativity, and growth. The Westfield Band Boosters cordially invite you to apply to our 13th Annual Holiday Craft Show to be held on Saturday, November 20th, 2021. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. Westfield High School Bands. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). But he also had a reputation for getting too close to some girls in his class, according to the lawsuit. The backbone of . Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. Who can participate? "If anything, COVID has taught us that the arts in general, not just music, provides such an important part of a well-rounded education," Vitale said. Itinerant Music, Strings, Teacher . Band Director: Andrew Muth. WHS Bands Staff Director of Bands- Andrew Muth Assistant Director- Alex Sparks Director of Operations- Peter Lintzenich Performing Arts Instruction Assistant- Dave Shinault Pride of Westfield Staff 2022 Director - Andrew Muth Assistant Director- Alex Sparks Hornline Director- Aaron Cowgill Director of Operations- Peter Lintzenich He said students learn skills in classes, like band or orchestra, that can carry over into their professional lives, such as working with people at a company toward a common goal. In addition, his ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after year. All DMA Staff. Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Venice High School's Band Director, Mr. Lee hails from a small suburban town in South Jersey. They have the covers for trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, and ones for the tubas are enroute. We look forward to growing in 2022 as an organization run by directors focused on providing world-class adjudication at a low price, Vitale says. The Westfield Public School District, in partnership with families and the community, educates all students to reach their highest potential as productive, well-balanced and responsible citizens who respect individual differences and diversity in an ever changing world. Westfield, IN 46074. Vitale explained that there is a communal aspect of making music with other people that is not something students get in other academic subjects. How Many Inches Of Snow Did Westfield Get? Vitale went to school for music education where he learned to play a variety of instruments, as well as upper level musical concepts that he now teaches to his students. Prior to being at Venice High School, Mr. Lee was interviewed as one of six finalists for the Band Officer position of the United States Air Force Band. Vitale also co-founded the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association (NJMBDA) in 2020, with more than 70 high school bands joining the non-profit organization in its first year. Elgas does not appear to have been criminally charged. To be able to navigate this together is certainly a lot of moving parts, he said.Hes also trying to get the jazz band and drum roll together after school to practice, so theyre ready when they do get a chance to perform. Mr. Lee sang with the NEC Chamber Singers and Concert Choir and regularly performed in the Undergraduate Opera Scenes program and Graduate Opera productions. WESTFIELD, NJ Westfield High School band director Christopher Vitale was recognized among 40 "outstanding music directors" all under the age of 40 for his . The funds would come from School Choice, [] "I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. The Westfield High School band has a hashtag #BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families. Kennedy said the numbers of students taking band are lower at WHS than they ever have been. February 7, 2022 - Westfield High School Band Director Christopher Vitale has been named to the 2022 "40 Under 40", a music education advocacy program launched by Yamaha last year to "recognize outstanding music educators who are making a difference by growing and strengthening their music programs." All four of the Westfield High School student musicians who qualified for Region Band in January also were awarded spots in All-State Band. At the Oct. 15 football game against Minnechaug at Bullens Field, which the Bombers won 13 to 0, the band couldn't wait to get to halftime. FAX: (323) 936-8455. Copyright 2023 Westfield Public Schools. The estimated cost of the revised plan is $9MM, approximately half that of the initial proposal. Seniors Trent Stucenski and Matt McMahon and junior Nate Valeri (seated) showing the new PPE bell covers on their instruments. We might put together some small ensembles and record them for the holidays. We are proud that we have students from every walk of life within . Elgas family members could not be reached for comment. New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association. All rights reserved. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). . According to Director of Bands Chris Vitale, The key ingredients of #BandFamily at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, respect and support. In his letter, he notes that Vitalevoluntarily hosts a well-attended book club before school for any student interested in strengthening their leadership skills. Have a news tip? Having leadthe Mighty Gondolier Marching Band fortwo years at an after school capacity,Mr. Lee has continued his career at Venice High Schoolas full-time Instrumental Music Teacher. The Westfield High School Bands, under the direction of Vitale and Sindorf, are three-time Band of America regional finalists, repeated New Jersey State Gala participants, and an invitee to the Music for All National Concert Band Festival. Yamaha reported in a written statement that hundreds of nominations were received by students, parents, teachers, and local instrument dealers and mentors, highlighting the music educators impacting their community and students in a positive direction.. Westfield High School Band director Christopher Vitale has been named to the 2022 40 Under 40, a music education advocacy program launched by Yamaha.Westfield Public Schools, Westfield High School Band director Christopher Vitale has been named to the 2022 40 Under 40, a music education advocacy program launched by Yamaha last year to recognize outstanding music educators who are making a difference by growing and strengthening their music programs.. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He said the jazz band, which is anywhere from 10 to 20 students, can fit in the practice room together.In some ways this has allowed us to evaluate what we do and who we are, he said.Kennedy acknowledged that all of the moving parts have slowed down how much material they can cover, and they havent been allowed to schedule any performances. Westfield Band Boosters are grateful for the crafters and shoppers who participated in the Outdoor Event on October 10, 2020. To send an email to this staff member, fill out and submit this form. He said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program served them well later in life. After the 2019 marching season, directors throughout New Jersey began conversations regarding a need for an organization solely focused on providing an educationally sound marching experience for the bands of our state, he explains. More than 70 high school bands joined the non-profit organization in its first year. WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. Chris takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. A spokesperson for the school district declined to comment, citing the litigation. I lost probably 25 kids. Band Director Westfield High School Westfield, NJ. Our staff bring their years and decades of experience to every one of our workshops. Yamaha says in a press release that hundreds of nominations were received by students, parents, teachers, and local instrument dealers and mentors, highlighting the music educators impacting their community and students in a positive direction.. Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. Mr. Lee has attended the European American Musical Alliance Conducting Program in Paris, France arenowned composition-drivenprogram drawing from the pedagogical tradition of Nadia Boulanger. Two of the districts high school band directors, Alex Delao and Jeffrey William Plum, were convicted of molesting students in the 1980s. A second pregnancy ended the same way. Chris Vitale - Westfield High School Band Director; Anticipated Cost. "City Champions For A Quarter Century". "A big part of what we provide in high school band is a social network for the kids.". In his letter, he noted that Vitale voluntarily hosts a well-attended book club before school for any student interested in strengthening their leadership skills. Your Name. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). The Westfield Marching Band was named a 2015 USBands Northeast Regional and National Class Champions and was named a Bands of America Regional Finalist three times since 2018. "If I can teach that and foster a love and appreciation for music along the way, then I think Im doing everything I set out to do as an educator.. Mr. Vitale holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music in Conducting Performance from the University of Delaware. Each time we run the club I learn from my students, which I find very fulfilling!, Vitale views high school band as a vehicle to build good humans. Westfield plans to award a band scholarship in her name, and donations payable to Westfield High School Music Boosters Club may be sent to the school at 4700 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, VA 20151. He said students learn skills in classes, like band or orchestra, that can carry over into their professional lives, such as working with people at a company toward a common goal. 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