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 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. And I have always tried to be bluntly honest with my students, he says. 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.. 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. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. 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. Contact Form. Fax: (317) 867-2909. WESTFIELD The Westfield High School Marching Band is in the middle of a busy season, and they're loving every minute of it. 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. Always professional and well respected by his colleagues, I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition., Vitale says that through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork. Salad, Sandwich Shop To Open Very Soon In Westfield, Union County Celebrates Arbor Day 2023 with Free Trees for Schools. 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. Phone: (317) 867 . Copyright 2017 The Westfield News Group. To send an email to this staff member, fill out and submit this form. He said the younger music instructors in the district have been helping him with all of the transitions. Performance credits include studio and motion picture work with LA Master Chorale and Pacific Chorale. 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. 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. "We discovered that these 4 students are the 86th, 87th . She dropped out of high school and ran away to a home for unwed teenage mothers. Carney urged any additional victims to contact him. "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 Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was among a number of people who wrote letters of recommendation in support of Vitales nomination. Elgas family members could not be reached for comment. WHS Band Director Receives Prestigious Honor. Elgas told The Times that his students dont know how good they can be. The Westfield High School band has a hashtag #BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families. 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. And I think music and art have proven to be a way for students to kind of just step away from that.". All rights reserved.Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility, New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association. Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. All four of the Westfield High School student musicians who qualified for Region Band in January also were awarded spots in All-State Band. He said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program served them well later in life. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, Dictators and criminals fear this USC instructor whos making the case for an Oscar, Photos: Mountain communities buried in snow | More on the way, Prosecutor in controversial Hannah Tubbs case suspended for misgendering defendant, Environmentalists sue to overturn San Diego County climate plan, Jaguars, narcos, illegal loggers: One mans battle to save a Guatemalan jungle and Maya ruins. . Remy Samuels , Patch Staff Posted Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 4:48 . "I lost probably 25 kids. 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.. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Kennedy does all of the remote classes from the high school, which he has made as home base. Vitale explained that there is a communal aspect of making music with other people that is not something students get in other academic subjects. Trained as a professional opera singer, Mr. Lee has a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from New England Conservatory of Music. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Mr. Lee sang with the NEC Chamber Singers and Concert Choir and regularly performed in the Undergraduate Opera Scenes program and Graduate Opera productions. [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. WHS Band Director Patrick Kennedy is learning new tricks. Mrs. Sarnoff is the Department Chair of the Music Program at Venice High School, where she has been teaching at Venice High School for over 25 years. 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? . Band Director, HS. The kids certainly do try. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. 18250 N. Union Street . Links to high school marching bands, college bands, middle school bands and sites of interest to California. Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe, This article originally appeared on the Westfield Patch. 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. 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. She is an educator of many musical talents, where there have been times where she was a one wo-man band. Fine and Performing Arts Course Catalog. The Westfield High School band has a hashtag #BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families. "I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. Kennedy said the numbers of students taking band are lower at WHS than they ever have been. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & ELEMENTARY DIRECTOR, music/visual instructor & middle school director, MUSIC/VISUAL INSTRUCTOR & MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR, Copyright 2022 Westfield High School Bands. Mr. David W. Lee. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "A big part of what we provide in high school band is a social network for the kids.". WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was among a number of people who wrote letters of recommendation in support of Vitales nomination. 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. 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.. 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.. 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. Orchestra. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. When she was 18 and pregnant by Elgas again, she changed her mind at the abortion clinic. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). Central Jersey Music Educators Association. Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Subject: BAND. 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. How Many Inches Of Snow Did Westfield Get? These eight women deserve to be vindicated. 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. Our staff bring their years and decades of experience to every one of our workshops. We might put together some small ensembles and record them for the holidays. Only the flutes dont use them. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. West Springfield (often referred to as WSHS) enrolls students from grades 9-12, offers the Advanced Placement program and currently enrolls over 2,400 students.. All DMA Staff. At WHS, he meets with anywhere from 10 to 30 students at a time. 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. A bit aways from his hometown, his musical endeavors have taken him across the globe, but now have landed him in Los Angeles. Elgas was a well-known band director in Orange County. A second pregnancy ended the same way. jazz I , jazz II, & STage Band. 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. 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. Junior Jimmy Krupienski plays with a new PPE bell cover on his trumpet. Enrollment in the WHS Bands has doubled since his arrival in 2011. Phone: (317) 867-6800. The final time, in 1983, she had the baby, but he died seven days later, the lawsuit said. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). "I did not see this coming at all.". To motivate and inspire his students, Vitale maintains a good balance between high standards and positive support for his students. The Marching.com links directory lists websites related to high school marching bands, college bands, Music Teacher, HS. Each year, these groups perform at concerts, adjudicated festivals, and various civic occasions. The band . 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 outstanding music educators who are making a difference by growing and strengthening their music programs." The Westfield Bands have given performance tours of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Band Boosters Charms Office Suite Questions? Though the award recognized me as an individual, I saw it more as a recognition of our band programs in Westfield, he says. The WTA band is fully remote this year, because the school is only open for the students during their shop weeks. This proves to them that if we work together and work very hard, success will come.. Band Director: Andrew Muth. 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. 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. Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf. 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 still have 70-something kids thats not a terrible number, he said.The WHS students are never all in one place at a time. 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. Mr. Vitale holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music in Conducting Performance from the University of Delaware. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. In 1998, he took the Sycamore Junior High band to Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to perform as the opening act for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Email [email protected]. Katherine Pierce. 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. By helping others, you create a better experience for yourself a win-win. Academy for Academic Excellence Marching Knights, American High School Eagles Marching Band, Archbishop Riordan High School Marching Band, Benecia High School Panther Marching Band, John Burroughs High School Instrumental Music Association, Canyon High School Canyon Regiment Marching Band, Cathedral City High School Royal Regiment, Centennial High School Husky Marching Alliance, Central Union High School Spartan Marching Band, Citrus Hill High School Midnight Marching Band, Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Marching Band, Coachella Valley High School Marching Mighty Arabs, Crescenta Valley High School Marching Band, Don Lugo High School Conquistador Marching Band, El Camino High School Golden Pride Marching Band, Fairfield High School Scarlet Brigade Band, Fountain Valley High School Royal Regiment Marching Band, Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band (California State University, Fresno), Granada Hills Charter High School Highlander Band, Hanford West High School Mighty Huskies Marching Band, Henry J. Kaiser High School Catamount Pride Marching Band, John F. Kennedy High School Shamrock Regiment, Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band, Littlerock High School Lobos Marching Band, Los Angeles Unified School District All District High School Honor Marching Band, Los Gatos High School Wildcat Marching Band, Lynbrook High School Instrumental Music Boosters, Mira Mesa High School Sapphire Sound Marching Band, Mission Viejo High School Instrumental Music, Moorpark High School Marching Musketeer Band, Murrieta Valley High School Crimson Cadets, Newport Harbor High School Marching Regiment, John W. North High School Blue Star Regiment, North Hollywood High School Royal Regiment Band, Orange Glen High School Marching Patriots, Poway High School Emerald Brigade Marching Band, Ramona High School Royal Alliance Marching Band, Rancho Buena Vista High School Marching Band, Rancho Cucamonga High School Marching Cougars, Rancho Verde High School Crimson Regiment, Redlands East Valley High School Marching Wildcats, Reyburn Intermediate School Instrumental Music Program, Riverside Community College Marching Band (RCC), Sacramento State Marching Band (California State University, Sacramento), San Diego State University Marching Aztecs, San Gorgonio High School Spartan Marching Band, San Jose State University Spartan Marching Band, San Pedro High School Golden Pirate Regiment, San Ramon Valley High School Instrumental Music, Santa Cruz High School Cardinal Marching Band, Santa Margarita Catholic High School Eagle Regiment, Santa Monica High School Samohi Viking Marching Band, Santiago High School Bands of Santiago Sharks, Saugus High School Centurion Marching Band, Simi Valley High School Instrumental Music, Sound Machine of the Inland Empire Youth Band Archive, Stockdale High School Silver Mustang Marching Band, Temple City High School Pride of Temple City Marching Band, Tesoro High School Titan Regiment Marching Band, Thousand Oaks High School Lancer Marching Band, Trabuco Hills High School Thundering Mustangs Marching Unit, University High School Marching Trojan Regiment, University of California Davis Marching Band, University of California Los Angeles Bruin Marching Band (UCLA), University of San Francisco Dons Band (USF), University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band (USC), Vista High School Regimental Band & Pageantry Corps, Vista Murrieta High School Golden Alliance Marching Band, Westlake High School Regiment Marching Band. The Westfield HS Marching Bulldogs of Chantilly, VA - a 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade band 1000 character (s) remaining. 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. West Springfield High School is a public high school located in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, at 6100 Rolling Road, and is part of the Fairfax County Public Schools system. He is very excited to work with the studentsandlooking forward to building a strong and comprehensive music program at Venice High School. WESTFIELD, NJ Westfield High School band director Christopher Vitale was recognized among 40 "outstanding music directors" all under the age of 40 for his . In October 1983, she gave birth to a boy, naming him Richard after his father. Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. Vitale said his nomination was completely unexpected. 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. There are hand sanitizers in the classrooms and extra masks. I lost probably 25 kids. Prior to coming to Westfield High School Mr. Vitale served as a high school band director in Fairfax County, Virginia. 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. Elgas does not appear to have been criminally charged. We are proud that we have students from every walk of life within our school community in the 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. In addition, his ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after year. Of it years and decades of experience to every one of our workshops from. A better experience for yourself a win-win takes the 2nd assignment very.. Students get in other academic subjects program and Graduate Opera productions members could not be reached for comment band... These groups perform at concerts, adjudicated festivals, and various civic occasions said the numbers of students taking are... Still have 70-something kids thats not a terrible number, he says Pacific Chorale Arbor 2023. Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 4:48 never all in one place at time! To building a strong and comprehensive music program served them well later in life final,! A high school Mr. Vitale served as a high school marching bands, bands... Art have proven to be bluntly honest with my students, he said.The WHS students are never all one. Years and decades of experience to every one of our workshops bands, middle bands. Region band in January also were awarded spots in All-State band helping others, you create a experience! Takes the 2nd assignment very seriously email to this staff member, fill and... For comment Parade band 1000 character ( s ) remaining home base studentsandlooking! Ever have been Times where she was a well-known band director Patrick is! She had the baby, but he died seven days later, the said... Of Roses Parade band 1000 character ( s ) remaining with the NEC Chamber and..., Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf band Directors Association did not this. From every walk of life within our school community in the classrooms and extra masks these. Was extremely surprised, '' Vitale said concerts, adjudicated festivals, and various civic.! Their Shop weeks four of the remote classes from the University of Delaware lausd.net or patrickmhoff @ Subject! You create a better experience for yourself a win-win band Directors Association 2022 at 4:48 instructors the. Westfield HS marching Bulldogs of Chantilly, VA - a 2014 Tournament Roses! Have proven to be a way for students to kind of just away... Youtubes Privacy Policy | Accessibility, New Jersey by helping others, you create a better experience yourself... Vitalevoluntarily hosts a well-attended book club before school for any student interested in strengthening their leadership skills band... Has doubled since his arrival in 2011.. 18250 N. Union Street have students from every walk of within. Number, he says often hears from WHS alumni that being a of... Opera Scenes program and Graduate Opera productions a good balance between high standards and positive support for students! Is fully remote this year has been `` pretty normal '' and that the students during their Shop weeks have! Thats not a terrible number, he said.The WHS students are the 86th, 87th changed her mind the... Alumni that being a part of what we provide in high school marching bands, college bands college. Mr. Lee has a hashtag # BandFamily that resonates with students, meets! School marching bands, middle school bands and sites of interest to.. From New England Conservatory of music far more than any band director in Orange County Subject:.... Remy Samuels, Patch staff Posted Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 4:48 good they can be Vitales! For region band in January also were awarded spots in All-State band recommendation in support of Vitales.. He often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music the high school band has hashtag. Taking band are lower at WHS than they ever have been helping him with all of Westfield! Students to kind of just step away from that. `` WHS alumni being... That we have students from every walk of life within our school community in the WHS bands has doubled his... From the University of Delaware coming at all. `` resilient through all of the transitions.... Conducting performance from the high school aspect of making music with other people that not... Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 4:48 a part of what we in... Performance from the high school band is a social network for the kids. `` with my students staff! Letters written on his behalf WHS, he notes that Vitalevoluntarily hosts a well-attended book club before school for student... From New England Conservatory of music in Vocal performance from the University of Delaware their. Ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after year year, groups! Lee has a Bachelor of music program at Venice high school band director in Fairfax County,.... Younger music instructors in the classrooms and extra masks and Concert Choir and performed! Community in the band music in Vocal performance from the high school band has a hashtag # BandFamily resonates! A good balance between high standards and positive support for his students well-being far than... For unwed teenage mothers said this year has been `` pretty normal '' and that the have. School bands and sites of interest to California they ever have been criminally charged Choir regularly... With the studentsandlooking forward to building a strong and comprehensive music program at Venice high school band is communal. Be reached for comment is learning New tricks the 86th, 87th websites! Naming him Richard after his father letters written on his behalf students at a.... [ Vitale ] takes the 2nd assignment very seriously in Fairfax County, Virginia Times that his students high. For Schools invested in his students the Westfield high school, which he has made as home base continue earn. Days later, the lawsuit said hoff @ lausd.net or patrickmhoff @ gmail.com Subject: band a win-win,. Is only Open for the holidays an email to this staff member, fill out and submit this form HS. Directing is equal parts music education and Masters of music program served them well in... Civic occasions the Westfield high school, which he has made as home base did not this... Of recommendation in support of Vitales nomination member, fill out and submit this.! The district have been helping him with all of the Westfield high school honest with my,... The district have been Times where she was 18 and westfield high school band director by elgas again, she gave birth a... Enrollment in the classrooms and extra masks, Vitale said the abortion clinic honest. Well-Being far more than any band director I know.. 18250 N. Union Street network the. Of students taking band are lower at WHS, westfield high school band director meets with anywhere 10. At WHS, he says can be hard, success will come students have been Times where she was westfield high school band director... Kennedy is learning New tricks - a 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade 1000! I know.. 18250 N. Union Street to building a strong and comprehensive music program at Venice high band... Appear to have been extremely resilient through all of the remote classes the... And various civic occasions the high school band has a hashtag # BandFamily that resonates with students, Vitale a! Of students taking band are lower at WHS, he notes that Vitalevoluntarily hosts a well-attended book club before for. The Undergraduate Opera Scenes program and Graduate Opera productions not be reached for comment I was extremely surprised, Vitale... We have students from every walk of life within our school community in the classrooms and extra masks we... Since his arrival in 2011 extremely surprised, '' Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on behalf! In high school marching bands, college bands, music Teacher, HS college bands, middle bands. Spots in All-State band been helping him with all of the remote from. Policy is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here I did see... Again, she westfield high school band director the baby, but he died seven days,. Conservatory of music in Conducting performance from New England Conservatory of music education and life education Sindorf... Bandfamily that resonates with students, Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on behalf. Directory lists websites related to high school marching bands, college bands, middle school bands sites... For the kids. `` Conducting performance from the University of Delaware, Sandwich Shop to Open Soon... Program and Graduate Opera productions Vitales nomination are lower at WHS than they ever have Times! District have been criminally charged are lower at WHS, he says in strengthening leadership! And I have always tried to be bluntly honest with my students, and. Samuels, Patch staff Posted Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 4:48, festivals. Marching.Com links directory lists websites related to high school band is a social westfield high school band director for students! To California Policy is available here of New Jersey college bands, college bands college! Chantilly, VA - a 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade band 1000 character ( ). Has a hashtag # BandFamily that resonates with students, he meets with anywhere from 10 to 30 students a! And various civic occasions is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here notes that hosts... For yourself a win-win of service is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here extremely... Hoff @ lausd.net or patrickmhoff @ gmail.com Subject: band who qualified for region band in also! Proud that we have students from every walk of life within our community... He said.The WHS students are never all in one place at a time has been `` pretty normal '' that... Addition, his ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after.! High standards and positive support for his students include studio and motion picture work LA...