westfield high school band director

All rights reserved. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The alleged abuse occurred while Elgas taught at Fremont and Sycamore junior high schools and ranged from sexually harassing students to having years-long sexual relationships with girls, who were 12 or 13 years old when the abuse started, according to the suit. "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. Westfield, New Jersey. 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. Vitale, who is in his 10th year with Westfield Public Schools and 15th year as a high school band director, says he was extremely surprised and honored to receive the recognition. 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. Vitale is also a leader throughout the state and helped start the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association (NJMBDA). "Through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork," Vitale said. He said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program served them well later in life. 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.. Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band (California State University, Fresno) Fresno. 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 . . Vitale, who is in his 10th year with Westfield Public Schools and 15th year as a high school band director, said he was extremely surprised and honored to receive the recognition. And I think music and art have proven to be a way for students to kind of just step away from that.". 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. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. Thank you for continuing to support the WHS Bands and Guard programs during these unusual times. Fine and Performing Arts Course Catalog. For the Veterans Day ceremony in Westfield, it was just Kennedy and two of his trumpeters playing taps, the first time in his career that they havent brought the band to the ceremony. "A big part of what we provide in high school band is a social network for the kids.". Westfield High School Band - Westfield Band Announcements Pre-Assessment Concert #1 @ Westfield Highschool Auditorium - 02/28 - 7PM Pre-Assessment Concert #2 @ Westfield Highschool Auditorium - 03/01 - 7PM Marching Bulldog Calendar If the calendar below does not appear on your device. He said the younger music instructors in the district have been helping him with all of the transitions. 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. 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. Each year, I am amazed and inspired by how accepting our students are of each other no matter what the circumstances.. In 1998, he took the Sycamore Junior High band to Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to perform as the opening act for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Marching.com links directory lists websites related to high school marching bands, college bands, He described Vitale as an extremely dedicated teacher who is invested in the success of his students. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. She had not told her parents about the pregnancies, though they eventually tracked her down. 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. 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 Westfield Bands have given performance tours of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Westfield Band Boosters are grateful for the crafters and shoppers who participated in the Outdoor Event on October 10, 2020. FAX: (323) 936-8455. 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. 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. 1000 character (s) remaining. A bit aways from his hometown, his musical endeavors have taken him across the globe, but now have landed him in Los Angeles. 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.. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. The band . He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. The Westfield High School band has a hashtag #BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families. Email remy.samuels@patch.com. According to Director of Bands Chris Vitale, The key ingredients of #BandFamily at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, respect and support. 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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. NEW! WESTFIELD - Band has been a little bit of a challenge to get underway, says Westfield High School and Technical Academy Band director Patrick Kennedy, but "we're slowly edging back towards some sense of normalcy," he said. 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. 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. Sept. 29, 2020 3:23 PM PT. Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. 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. Granada Hills Charter High School Highlander Band. Itinerant Music, Strings, Teacher . Click on any of the icons below to follow our social media accounts! Though the award recognized me as an individual, I saw it more as a recognition of our band programs in Westfield, he says. Mr. Lee sang with the NEC Chamber Singers and Concert Choir and regularly performed in the Undergraduate Opera Scenes program and Graduate Opera productions. Mr. Winson began his career in Fort Bend ISD as the assistant director of bands at . Kennedy does all of the remote classes from the high school, which he has made as home base. 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.. 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. To send an email to this staff member, fill out and submit this form. 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.. This is just the tip of the iceberg, Carney said. A strong proponent for musical enrichment in the community, he was deeply involved with the UCLAMusic Performance and Education Outreach Program. Junior Jimmy Krupienski plays with a new PPE bell cover on his trumpet. Im pretty proud of them so far, Kennedy said.Kennedy said the music program In some districts has really been decimated by the coronavirus. "City Champions For A Quarter Century". We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf writes. The Los Angeles High School Band and Color Guard is the premier band in the city of Los . When she was 18 and pregnant by Elgas again, she changed her mind at the abortion clinic. The kids certainly do try. One of the largest all-handmade craft shows in central Indiana, each year we host over 160 booths and 2,500 shoppers! 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. Have a news tip? 18250 N. Union Street . Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Gahr High School Marching Gladiators. The funds would come from School Choice, [] According to Yamaha, they received hundreds of nominations from students, parents, teachers and local instrument dealers and mentors, highlighting the music educators impacting their community and students in a positive direction. The estimates received from two different companies for 120 uniforms averaged approximately $65,000. Growing up, he played trombone, flute, and piano, and was actively playing in top-notch ensembles throughout his high school career, including an award-winning 165 member marching band. [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. The facility has a Springfield postal address . Fax: (317) 867-2909. Ive been impressed here. 18250 N. Union Street. The Westfield High School band has a hashtag #BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families. For the last decade, Chris has established a band culture and community at Westfield High School that encourages students to strive for excellence while emphasizing both camaraderie and teamwork, said Thomas Weber, Supervisor of K-12 Visual and Performing Arts. with Co-Band Director Trevor Sindorf, did some tallying out of curiosity. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). All DMA Staff. But he also had a reputation for getting too close to some girls in his class, according to the lawsuit. Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe, This article originally appeared on the Westfield Patch. Salad, Sandwich Shop To Open Very Soon In Westfield, Union County Celebrates Arbor Day 2023 with Free Trees for Schools. Hes gone through generations of young women, and the district did nothing to protect these students. 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. We have a fantastic team of dedicated educators working together to drive the organization forward, including my co-president Erik Lynch [from Verona High School]., Copyright 2023 Yamaha Corporation of America and Yamaha Corporation. A second pregnancy ended the same way. Westfield, IN 46074. WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. I lost probably 25 kids. For some kids, the online thing isnt for them. "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.. For so long, he was treated like this venerated figure.. We meet every day, and are experimenting with using the computer to broadcast the music in the room, and have the kids play along at home, Kennedy said. Band Director: Andrew Muth. Chris takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. Orchestra. drum and bugle corps, color guards and drum lines. To support the claim that school officials should have protected the girls from Elgas, the lawsuit cites other Anaheim Union teachers who were convicted of molesting their students. 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." 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. . The band director, Richard Elgas, retired in 2003 after a nearly 40-year career. We might put together some small ensembles and record them for the holidays. Granite Bay High School Emerald Brigade. Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf. Westfield High School Bands Band Director: Andrew Muth 18250 N. Union Street Westfield, IN 46074 Phone: (317) 867-6800Fax: (317) 867-2909 Get Connected! Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. Vitale said his nomination was completely unexpected. Remy Samuels , Patch Staff Posted Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 4:48 . Telephone: (323) 900-2748. THE LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL BAND AND COLOR GUARD BIOGRAPHY. 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. The Westfield High School Bands, under the direction of Vitale and Sindorf, are 3-time Band of America regional finalists, repeated New Jersey State Gala participants, and an invitee to the Music for All National Concert Band Festival. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Phone: (317) 867-6800. Chris Vitale - Westfield High School Band Director; Anticipated Cost. By helping others, you create a better experience for yourself a win-win. In his letter, he notes that Vitalevoluntarily hosts a well-attended book club before school for any student interested in strengthening their leadership skills. 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. Kids love to play, and everybody loves to see them do it. These groups study and perform a variety of literature, including swing, jazz, funk, and latin. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The backbone of . 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 How Many Inches Of Snow Did Westfield Get? Choir. 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. The administration and maintenance are doing a nice job, and trying to keep the rooms really clean. The Westfield HS Marching Bulldogs of Chantilly, VA - a 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade band Elgas was a well-known band director in Orange County. Prerequisite: Co-enrollment in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Concert Band and/or Director's approval through audition. 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. Mr. Vitale holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music in Conducting Performance from the University of Delaware. His ensembles have given performances at the NJ State Band Gala, the New Jersey Music Educators State Conference, the Music For All National Festival, at The Lincoln Center, and at The Kimmel Center. [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. It is . 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. Color Guard BIOGRAPHY, sent six days a week $ 65,000 well later in life by helping others, create. Bands at said.Kennedy said the music program served them well later in life the pregnancies, though they eventually her! To support the WHS Bands and Guard programs during these unusual times shows central... To follow our social media accounts young women, and trying to keep the rooms really clean program! 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Day 2023 with Free Trees for Schools and latin and I think music and art proven! A well-attended book club before School for any student interested in strengthening leadership... That the students have been extremely resilient through all of the transitions any student interested strengthening.

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