The band . Westfield High School Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was among a number of people who wrote letters of recommendation in support of Vitales nomination. He said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program served them well later in life. Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe. "I did not see this coming at all.". To send an email to this staff member, fill out and submit this form. The Westfield Bands have given performance tours of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy. 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. 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. Hes gone through generations of young women, and the district did nothing to protect these students. 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. Westfield Band Boosters are grateful for the crafters and shoppers who participated in the Outdoor Event on October 10, 2020. Prerequisite: Co-enrollment in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Concert Band and/or Director's approval through audition. 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.. The final time, in 1983, she had the baby, but he died seven days later, the lawsuit said. Westfield Winds is the 2021 IPA Open Class State Champion, 2021 WGI Class A Finalist, and 2021 WGI Fan Favorite. . A second pregnancy ended the same way. Self-reflection and self-improvement have superseded competition. 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, says Thomas Weber, Supervisor of K-12 Visual and Performing Arts. Choir. Granada Hills. 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. Phone: (317) 867 . Band Director: Andrew Muth. WESTFIELD The Westfield High School Marching Band is in the middle of a busy season, and they're loving every minute of it. 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. Fax: (317) 867-2909. The plaintiffs are not named in the lawsuit, and The Times does not name victims of sexual assaults. Self-reflection and self-improvement have superseded competition. 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. Through music we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork, among other things, he says. Besides directing the many ensembles at WHS which include three concert bands, two jazz bands, two percussion ensembles, two winter color guards and the marching band Vitale also co-founded the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association in 2020. "I think our main focus was just on trying to keep the kids connected," 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. jazz I , jazz II, & STage Band. Each year, I am amazed and inspired by how accepting our students are of each other no matter what the circumstances.. She dropped out of high school and ran away to a home for unwed teenage mothers. WHS Band Director Patrick Kennedy is learning new tricks. All four of the Westfield High School student musicians who qualified for Region Band in January also were awarded spots in All-State Band. Please enter an email address where you can be reached if the staffer needs to respond to you. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. Katherine Pierce. Elgas family members could not be reached for comment. "Through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork," Vitale said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. There are hand sanitizers in the classrooms and extra masks. Orchestra. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). 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. Back to Departments. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf writes. . Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. In 1998, he took the Sycamore Junior High band to Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to perform as the opening act for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf. In his letter, he notes that Vitalevoluntarily hosts a well-attended book club before school for any student interested in strengthening their leadership skills. 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 . Band Boosters Charms Office Suite Questions? 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. 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. 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. Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf. Carney urged any additional victims to contact him. Band Director Westfield High School Westfield, NJ. Your Email. 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 Band has been a little bit of a challenge to get underway, says Westfield High School and Technical Academy Band director Patrick Kennedy, but were slowly edging back towards some sense of normalcy, he said.Kennedy said the numbers of students taking band are lower at WHS than they ever have been. How Many Inches Of Snow Did Westfield Get? He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. "I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. The nonprofit NJMBDA had over 70 high school bands join in its first year. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). 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. Links to high school marching bands, college bands, middle school bands and sites of interest to California. A strong proponent for musical enrichment in the community, he was deeply involved with the UCLAMusic Performance and Education Outreach Program. He died in 2017, according to the Orange County Coroner Division. The Westfield High School band has a hashtag #BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families. Email remy.samuels@patch.com. 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. WHS Band Director Patrick Kennedy said [] 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. 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. "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. A spokesperson for the school district declined to comment, citing the litigation. In addition, his ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after year. 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. Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States who met the programs criteria of "action, courage, creativity and growth.". Hoboken's Official St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl, Saint Joseph High School Annual Basket Raffle, Johns Crazy Socks Enters the Wholesale Channel so Retail Stores Can Sell Our Socks, Tax Relief, Debt Service, Transit Fare Freeze: 3 NJ Budget Takeaways, More Snow, Ice, Winter Weather On The Way To NJ, Forecasters Say, Westfield School Board Cuts Arts Teachers Amid Student, Parent Uproar. Remy Samuels , Patch Staff Posted Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 4:48 . THE LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL BAND AND COLOR GUARD BIOGRAPHY. Patrick Hoff, Director. Granada Hills Charter High School Highlander Band. Mr. Winson began his career in Fort Bend ISD as the assistant director of bands at . When they do well, I tell them and when they dont, I dont shy away from making that known. . And I have always tried to be bluntly honest with my students, he says. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. The Los Angeles High School Band and Color Guard is the premier band in the city of Los . Contact Form. 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.. Westfield High School Bands. 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. The administration and maintenance are doing a nice job, and trying to keep the rooms really clean. 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. The kids certainly do try. Cerritos. Right now, Bob Plasse of Westfield on Weekends contacted me to see if we could do something on Channel 15. Despite the pandemic, the enrollment in our Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Band and Winter Guard continue to be very strong due to all of his efforts. 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. He described Vitale as an extremely dedicated teacher who is invested in the success of his students. Vitale is also a leader throughout the state and helped start the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association (NJMBDA). For so long, he was treated like this venerated figure.. 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. 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. [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. I tell students that you dont have to be best friends with everyone in our band, but you do have to learn how to work together and help each other be successful. 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. Band Director: Andrew Muth. Through this program he was able to make his European conducting debut at the historic La Schola Cantorum de Paris. 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.. All rights reserved (About Us). The band gave concerts at Knotts Berry Farm and played under college conductors at Cal State Fullerton. Our team of veteran educators and designers brings 100+ years of combined experience in the activity. 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. 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. More than 70 high school bands joined the non-profit organization in its first year. It is . A bit aways from his hometown, his musical endeavors have taken him across the globe, but now have landed him in Los Angeles. Kennedy said the numbers of students taking band are lower at WHS than they ever have been. drum and bugle corps, color guards and drum lines. 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Im going to keep a Google Classroom until I retire. Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe, This article originally appeared on the Westfield Patch. 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. "A big part of what we provide in high school band is a social network for the kids.". Band Director: Andrew Muth. 18250 N. Union Street . 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. I was so unbelievably proud that Westfield was recognized on a national stage for music educators all around the country to see.". Have a news tip? "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 High School Bands. The funds would come from School Choice, [] 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. 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. He is very excited to work with the studentsandlooking forward to building a strong and comprehensive music program at Venice High School. 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. Copyright 2023 Westfield Public Schools. [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. Our students get 1-on-1, hands-on training with music educators at the top of their field. We are proud that we have students from every walk of life within our school community in the band. 1000 character (s) remaining. And I think music and art have proven to be a way for students to kind of just step away from that.". Who can participate? Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Music Teacher, HS. The estimates received from two different companies for 120 uniforms averaged approximately $65,000. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. The band director, Richard Elgas, retired in 2003 after a nearly 40-year career. "City Champions For A Quarter Century". WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. Ive been impressed here. Socially distanced band practice at Westfield High School. All DMA Staff. with Co-Band Director Trevor Sindorf, did some tallying out of curiosity. 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. Great Oak High School Marching Band. 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. Elgas took her to get an abortion. 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. Granite Bay. Sept. 29, 2020 3:23 PM PT. The WTA band is fully remote this year, because the school is only open for the students during their shop weeks. 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. 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. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. 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. The Westfield High School band director was recognized by Yamaha for his achievements as an educator and growing the WHS music program. They are: Nolan Daly, 11th grade, Trumpet, All-State Symphonic Band . 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. These groups study and perform a variety of literature, including swing, jazz, funk, and latin. He continues to perform with ensembles, such as the Charles Dickens Carolers at venues throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. 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. She is an educator of many musical talents, where there have been times where she was a one wo-man band. Westfield High School Bands. The Westfield High School band has a hashtag #BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families. Mr. Lee received a Master of Music degree in Conducting from the University of California, Los Angeles. The facility has a Springfield postal address . 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 lawsuit was filed in June by four plaintiffs and amended on Monday to include four additional victims, said Michael Carney, an attorney representing the eight women. Vitale explained that there is a communal aspect of making music with other people that is not something students get in other academic subjects. Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band (California State University, Fresno) Fresno. Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. But he also had a reputation for getting too close to some girls in his class, according to the lawsuit. Westfield, IN 46074. Your Name. Our workshops are taught by university professors and high school band directors. 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