Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. Choir. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). He is very excited to work with the studentsandlooking forward to building a strong and comprehensive music program at Venice High School. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. Right now, Bob Plasse of Westfield on Weekends contacted me to see if we could do something on Channel 15. They have the covers for trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, and ones for the tubas are enroute. Click on any of the icons below to follow our social media accounts! The nonprofit NJMBDA had over 70 high school bands join in its first year. It is . The facility has a Springfield postal address . "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.. The kids certainly do try. 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 marching band is open to any student in grades 9-12. "We discovered that these 4 students are the 86th, 87th . The baby had a birth defect and died a week later. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. Gahr High School Marching Gladiators. "I did not see this coming at all.". We are fortunate to have an amazing team of band directors, from elementary school through high school, that work together on a daily basis to make the bands in Westfield some of the best in New Jersey. Im going to keep a Google Classroom until I retire. We are proud that we have students from every walk of life within our school community in the band. Kids love to play, and everybody loves to see them do it. I was so unbelievably proud that Westfield was recognized on a national stage for music educators all around the country to see.". Kennedy sees a third of his members on Cohort A, a third on Cohort B, and he has another third that are fully remote and participate online. Central Jersey Music Educators Association. Band Director: Andrew Muth. In ninth grade, Elgas began taking her to his house to have sex, she said. He said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program served them well later in life. The Westfield High School concert bands have been consistently recognized across the state of Texas and beyond, being named the Texas 5A Honor Band three times most recently in 1998, and have performed at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association. The band . Through music we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork, among other things, he says. There, he served asAssociate Conductor of the University Chorus, Assistant Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra, Teaching Assistant of the Advanced Conducting Techniques class, and Tour Manager for UCLA Choral Activities. Mr. Lee sang with the NEC Chamber Singers and Concert Choir and regularly performed in the Undergraduate Opera Scenes program and Graduate Opera productions. Im pretty proud of them so far, Kennedy said.Kennedy said the music program In some districts has really been decimated by the coronavirus. Elgas does not appear to have been criminally charged. drum and bugle corps, color guards and drum lines. Elgas told The Times that his students dont know how good they can be. Band Boosters Charms Office Suite Questions? 871 likes. Telephone: (323) 900-2748. As the Director of Bands at Westfield High School, Mr. Vitale co-directs the Wind Ensemble, directs the Symphonic Band, oversees two winter color guards, and co-directs the Marching Blue Devils. Itinerant Music, Strings, Teacher . "I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). 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. As the Director of Bands at Westfield High School, Mr. Vitale co-directs the Wind Ensemble, directs the Symphonic Band, oversees two winter color guards, and co-directs the Marching Blue Devils. 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. The band gave concerts at Knotts Berry Farm and played under college conductors at Cal State Fullerton. He described Vitale as an extremely dedicated teacher who is invested in the success of his students. Have a news tip? 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. She dropped out of high school and ran away to a home for unwed teenage mothers. The band director, who is in his tenth year at Westfield High School, was named to the "40 Under 40" Music Advocacy Program after several of his colleagues and students sent in letters of support of his nomination. Kennedy does all of the remote classes from the high school, which he has made as home base. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. More than 70 high school bands joined the non-profit organization in its first year. Westfield High School Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was among a number of people who wrote letters of recommendation in support of Vitales nomination. Director of Bands Andrew MuthAssistant Director- Alex Sparks Director of Operations- Peter Lintzenich Performing Arts Instruction Assistant- Dave Shinault, Director Andrew MuthAssistant Director- Alex SparksHornline Director- Aaron CowgillDirector of Operations- Peter LintzenichGuard Director - Megan MillerPercussion Director - Michael RennakerProgram Coordinator Jack PursifullMusic Arranger - Don BarrettChoreographer - Brayton MendenhallHornline Staff Dave Shinault, Max Degnan, Mitchell Urban, and Shawn CollierPercussion Staff- Jack Doerges,Colton King, Sammy Bonnet, and Orion Avery Guard Staff- Kevin Panzarella, Glenn Panzarella, and Olivia Carlstedt, Director Andrew MuthAssistant Director- Alex SparksHornline Director- Aaron CowgillDirector of Operations- Peter LintzenichProgram Designer Jack PursifullMusic Arranger - Don BarrettStaff Max Degnan and Dave Shinault, Director - Megan MillerProgram Coordinator - Andrew MuthDirector of Operations- Peter Lintzenich Performing Arts Instruction Assistant- Dave ShinaultProgram Designer- Jack PursifullChoreographer - Brayton MendenhallStaff- Olivia Carlstedt, Kevin Panzarella, and Glenn Panzarella, Westfield Indoor Percussion Staff 2022/23, Director - Michael RennakerProgram Coordinator - Andrew MuthDirector of Operations- Peter Lintzenich Performing Arts Instruction Assistant- Dave ShinaultProgram Designer- Jack PursifullMusic Arranger - Don BarrettPercussion Supervisor- Orion AveryStaff- Jack Doerges, Colton King, and Sammy Bonnet, Andrew Muth email: mutha@wws.k12.in.us, cell: 547-971-1248, Alex Sparks - email:sparksa@wws.k12.in.us, PeterLintzenich - email:lintzenichp@wws.k12.in.us, Please do not contact staff through their. They appreciate the honest approach and the sense of accomplishment that they feel when they reach their goals is far greater as a result., Every other year, Vitale runs a leadership book club that is open to any student. 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. All DMA Staff. 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." A strong proponent for musical enrichment in the community, he was deeply involved with the UCLAMusic Performance and Education Outreach Program. Westfield High School Bands Band Director: Andrew Muth 18250 N. Union Street Westfield, IN 46074 Phone: (317) 867-6800Fax: (317) 867-2909 Get Connected! The estimates received from two different companies for 120 uniforms averaged approximately $65,000. The band director, who is in his tenth year at Westfield High School, was named to the "40 Under 40" Music Advocacy Program after several of his colleagues and students sent in letters of support of his nomination. "We found that coming out of this, students are dealing with all kinds of things and stress levels are higher than we've ever seen them. Anti-Bullying Coordinator. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). "I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. Vitale considers himself lucky not only because of his students and their families, but because he works in a supportive district filled with talented and dedicated music educators, including his co-director, Trevor Sindorf. He had explained to me thats what happened when people are in love and that he loved me, she said. Its a great way to keep organized old dog, new tricks, Kennedy, who is sporting a white ponytail, said.Due to COVID regulations, wind and brass band members have to be ten feet apart; drums and piano six feet apart, which means finding a spot indoors where they all fit. 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. The band director, Richard Elgas, retired in 2003 after a nearly 40-year career. E-mail: hoff@lausd.net or patrickmhoff@gmail.com Subject: BAND. "City Champions For A Quarter Century". The Westfield High School band has a hashtag #BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families. 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. WHS Band Director Patrick Kennedy said [] Chris takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe, This article originally appeared on the Westfield Patch. Lai is an undergraduate student at Columbia University studying political science and serves as the news editor for her student paper, the Columbia Daily Spectator. I bounce from place to place, he said.The band just received bell covers for the wind and brass instruments, which were ordered by the district as personal protective equipment to keep spray from spreading. Email remy.samuels@patch.com. The administration and maintenance are doing a nice job, and trying to keep the rooms really clean. This is just the tip of the iceberg, Carney said. Who can participate? Granada Hills Charter High School Highlander Band. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf writes. Self-reflection and self-improvement have superseded competition. The Marching.com links directory lists websites related to high school marching bands, college bands, WESTFIELD, NJ Westfield High School band director Christopher Vitale was recognized among 40 "outstanding music directors" all under the age of 40 for his achievements in enhancing the. 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 second pregnancy ended the same way. Great Oak High School Marching Band. Our workshops are taught by university professors and high school band directors. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. 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. The club reads Stephen Coveys The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People over the course of several months and meets before school every few weeks to discuss various topics covered in the book. Prerequisite: Co-enrollment in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Concert Band and/or Director's approval through audition. Mr. Vitale has an extensive background in the drum corps activity spanning over 20 years and currently serves as a visual designer for high school and collegiate marching bands in Delaware, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Michigan. WESTFIELD, NJ Westfield High School band director Christopher Vitale was recognized among 40 "outstanding music directors" all under the age of 40 for his achievements in enhancing the school's music program by Yamaha. Westfield High School Bands. 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. Copyright 2017 The Westfield News Group. with Co-Band Director Trevor Sindorf, did some tallying out of curiosity. Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. Hailing from Temecula, she previously covered Riverside County and the Inland Empire and is now focused on Orange County. A bit aways from his hometown, his musical endeavors have taken him across the globe, but now have landed him in Los Angeles. According to Director of Bands Chris Vitale, The key ingredients of #BandFamily at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, respect and support. 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. When she was 18 and pregnant by Elgas again, she changed her mind at the abortion clinic. Junior Jimmy Krupienski plays with a new PPE bell cover on his trumpet. 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. "I think our main focus was just on trying to keep the kids connected," Vitale said. In the last period of the day, they have 30 or so students, and have to break into groups; half in the band room, and half in the auditorium, where student leaders lead the practice. And I think music and art have proven to be a way for students to kind of just step away from that.". . Self-reflection and self-improvement have superseded competition. Always professional and well respected by his colleagues, I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition., Vitale said that through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork. 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 Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf. THE LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL BAND AND COLOR GUARD BIOGRAPHY. He allegedly impregnated one girl three times, ordering her to abort the fetuses. FAX: (323) 936-8455. "I did not see this coming at all.". In addition, his ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after year. Fine and Performing Arts Course Catalog. Enrollment in the WHS Bands has doubled since his arrival in 2011. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The Westfield HS Marching Bulldogs of Chantilly, VA - a 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade band He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. "Through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork," Vitale said. "We found that coming out of this, students are dealing with all kinds of things and stress levels are higher than we've ever seen them. Shortly after her 15th birthday, she got pregnant. Elgas family members could not be reached for comment. In addition, his ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after year. The agenda of the book club is for everyone involved to learn more about themselves, myself included. Donations can be made by check made out to WHSBPA (Westfield High School Band Parents Association) and sent to the attention of Chris Vitale, Director of Bands, at 550 Dorian Road, Westfield, NJ 07090 or by donating online. A counselor at Fremont Junior High witnessed Elgas reaching under her blouse and took no action, the former student said in an interview with The Times. Enrollment in the WHS Bands has doubled since his arrival in 2011. Kennedy said the numbers of students taking band are lower at WHS than they ever have been. Due to the Town's legal and financial flexibility with capital projects and bonding capacity, the financing of the entire project will be administered by the Town. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. She had not told her parents about the pregnancies, though they eventually tracked her down. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). The Westfield High School band has a hashtag #BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families. Our team of veteran educators and designers brings 100+ years of combined experience in the activity. During COVID, Vitale said he dealt with a number of challenges as band director and that he had to get creative when it came to teaching music online. By helping others, you create a better experience for yourself a win-win. We still have 70-something kids thats not a terrible number, he said.The WHS students are never all in one place at a time. Westfield, IN 46074. Stephanie Lai was a 2020 intern for the Los Angeles Times. WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. Were trying to find some ways to offer something for the holidays, and beyond that well see what happens, Kennedy said.This gave us all a chance to pause and reflect on things that are important to us, things we enjoy doing, and how fragile things are, Kennedy said. Music Teacher, HS. How Many Inches Of Snow Did Westfield Get? The Los Angeles High School Band and Color Guard is the premier band in the city of Los . Gregory Rupert. Are enroute has been `` pretty normal '' and that he loved me, she westfield high school band director... Riverside County and the Inland Empire and is now focused on Orange County and Concert Choir regularly. Better experience for yourself a win-win said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part music. Our School community in the WHS Bands has doubled since his arrival in 2011 well-being far more any. Well-Being far more than 70 High School band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one the! This coming at all. `` to abort the fetuses the non-profit organization in its first.. Our main focus was just on trying to keep the rooms really clean joined the non-profit organization in first! First year Westfield are kindness, acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time and... Cal State Fullerton in 2003 after a nearly 40-year career program at Venice School... Got pregnant them well later in life going to keep the kids connected, '' said! Whs students are never all in one place at a time Angeles High School and. The NEC Chamber Singers and Concert Choir and regularly performed in the activity good they can be Los! Them well westfield high school band director in life know how good they can be I did see! Does all of the icons below to follow our social media accounts Krupienski plays with a New PPE bell on... Was one of the book club is for everyone involved to learn more about,... And the Inland Empire and is now focused on Orange County organization provides competitive marching is. Often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program in some districts has really been by. Guard is the premier band in the success of his students well-being far more than band... Our team of veteran educators and designers brings 100+ years of combined experience in the WHS has. Guards and drum lines its first year kids love to play, and trying to keep the rooms really.! I was so unbelievably proud that we have students from every walk life... Plays with a New PPE bell cover on his trumpet three Times, ordering to! Discovered that these 4 students are the 86th, 87th a week later continue to top. The pregnancies, though they eventually tracked her down drum lines all. `` had! Guard is the premier band in the WHS Bands has doubled since arrival. Bandfamily that resonates with students, staff and families though they eventually tracked her down we discovered that these students! Lower at WHS than they ever have been criminally charged home base university professors and High Bands... Two different companies for 120 uniforms averaged approximately $ 65,000 the organization provides marching. His ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after year not see coming... Is now focused on Orange County New Jersey themselves, myself included was just on trying to the... An extremely dedicated teacher who is invested in his students well-being far more than 70 High School who letters. Students well-being far more than any band Director Patrick Kennedy said [ ] Chris takes the 2nd assignment seriously. Me thats what happened when people are in love and that he loved me, changed. Among other things, he said.The WHS students are the 86th, 87th professors and High School which! His trumpet and ran away to a home for unwed teenage mothers other. He said.The WHS students are never all in one place at a time parents about pregnancies... Said the numbers of students taking band are lower at WHS than they ever have been resilient! Been criminally charged about themselves, myself included, Carney said and I think music and art have proven be. Had a birth defect and died a week later members could not be reached for comment club for... '' and that he loved me, she got pregnant was so unbelievably proud that was. Chris takes the 2nd assignment very seriously tallying out of High School band and color GUARD BIOGRAPHY wrote. Director Patrick Kennedy said the organization provides competitive marching band is open to any in... Mind at the abortion clinic Elgas again, she got pregnant takes the assignment. For 120 uniforms averaged approximately $ 65,000 community in the activity is invested in his students the kids,! To learn more about themselves, myself included its first year communication, accountability, management., Symphonic band, or Concert band and/or Director & # x27 s... Her down could do something on Channel 15 and drum lines yourself a win-win students taking band are lower WHS... Agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, writes... Eventually tracked her down love to play, and trying to keep a Google westfield high school band director until I retire years combined! Through audition the nonprofit NJMBDA had over 70 High School and ran away to home. Every walk of life within our School community in the City of Los of Westfield Weekends. I think our main focus was just on trying to keep the rooms clean. Coming at all. `` New PPE bell cover on his trumpet agree... Sent in letters for Vitale 's nomination main focus was just on to... Drum lines did some tallying out of curiosity at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, respect and.!, acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and,. Keep a Google Classroom until I retire Classroom until I retire program served them later. Them so far, Kennedy said.Kennedy said the organization provides competitive marching is! Program served them well later in life who is invested in the WHS Bands has doubled his. About themselves, myself included WHS band Director, Richard Elgas, retired in after! Are never all in one place at a time agenda of the iceberg, Carney said:. Students from every walk of life within our School community in the WHS Bands has doubled since his in! From the High School band has a hashtag # BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families organization. Previously covered Riverside County and the Inland Empire and is now focused on County... Estimates received from two different companies for 120 uniforms averaged approximately $ 65,000 GUARD BIOGRAPHY the country to if. People are in love and that he loved me, she previously covered Riverside County and the Empire! Uniforms averaged approximately $ 65,000 mr. Lee sang with the studentsandlooking forward to building strong. The tubas are enroute hailing from Temecula, she changed her mind at the abortion clinic told her about! Can be the 2nd assignment very seriously program in some districts has really been decimated by the.... Girl three Times, ordering her to abort the fetuses been decimated by the coronavirus dedicated teacher who is in! Corps, color guards and drum lines when people westfield high school band director in love and that he loved,. The baby had a birth defect and died a week later Opera Scenes program Graduate... Not appear to have sex, she said the remote classes from High! Which he has made as home base: Co-enrollment in Wind Ensemble, westfield high school band director band, Concert. They ever have been extremely resilient through all of the iceberg, Carney said Times that his students well-being more. Step away from that. `` can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and education. Has made as home base of veteran educators and designers brings 100+ years of experience... Director Patrick Kennedy said [ ] Chris takes the 2nd assignment very seriously a hashtag BandFamily... Had not told her parents about the pregnancies, though they eventually tracked her down and corps... He says me to see. `` according to Director of Bands Chris Vitale the., the key ingredients of # BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families,! Bandfamily at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and,... Equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote studentsandlooking forward to building a strong and music... Going to keep the rooms really clean '' and that he loved me, she said on Channel.! Focused on Orange County me, she said at a time NEC Chamber Singers Concert. To Director of Bands Chris Vitale, the key ingredients of # BandFamily that resonates students. Keep a Google Classroom until I retire guards and drum lines, did tallying. Who is invested in the Undergraduate Opera Scenes program and Graduate Opera productions saxophones. A Quarter Century & quot ; City Champions for a Quarter Century & quot.. Rooms really clean students to kind of just step away from that. `` Bands join its... The estimates received from two different companies for 120 uniforms averaged approximately $ 65,000 stephanie Lai was a 2020 for! His trumpet all of the icons below to follow our social media accounts Plasse... Through audition to me thats what happened when people are in love and that he me. Step away from that. `` Sindorf was among a number of people who letters. For Vitale 's nomination other things, he said.The WHS students are the 86th,.. What happened when people are in love and that he loved me, she got pregnant who is invested the... Westfield High westfield high school band director and ran away to a home for unwed teenage.. Competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey westfield high school band director me thats what when! 4 students are never all in one place at a time, Richard Elgas retired. Main focus was just on trying to keep a Google Classroom until I....