Contact 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.. 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. Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States who met the programs criteria of "action, courage, creativity and growth.". Vitale said his nomination was completely unexpected. They are: Nolan Daly, 11th grade, Trumpet, All-State Symphonic Band . 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. 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. Self-reflection and self-improvement have superseded competition. He said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program served them well later in life. The band . The facility has a Springfield postal address . 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. Each time we run the club I learn from my students, which I find very fulfilling!, Vitale views high school band as a vehicle to build good humans. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. A bit aways from his hometown, his musical . WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was among a number of people who wrote letters of recommendation in support of Vitales nomination. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & ELEMENTARY DIRECTOR, music/visual instructor & middle school director, MUSIC/VISUAL INSTRUCTOR & MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR, Copyright 2022 Westfield High School Bands. A bit aways from his hometown, his musical endeavors have taken him across the globe, but now have landed him in Los Angeles. Phone: (317) 867 . Two of the districts high school band directors, Alex Delao and Jeffrey William Plum, were convicted of molesting students in the 1980s. 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 Bands. 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. A spokesperson for the school district declined to comment, citing the litigation. "We discovered that these 4 students are the 86th, 87th . The Westfield High School band director was recognized by Yamaha for his achievements as an educator and growing the WHS music program. THE LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL BAND AND COLOR GUARD BIOGRAPHY. For so long, he was treated like this venerated figure.. . Mr. David W. Lee. 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. "I did not see this coming at all.". She dropped out of high school and ran away to a home for unwed teenage mothers. 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. 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. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf writes. [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. 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. 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. "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.. 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. 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 . According to Director of Bands Chris Vitale, The key ingredients of #BandFamily at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, respect and support. "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. 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. And I think music and art have proven to be a way for students to kind of just step away from that.". 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. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf. Elgas took her to get an abortion. Our workshops are taught by university professors and high school band directors. This is just the tip of the iceberg, Carney said. The band gave concerts at Knotts Berry Farm and played under college conductors at Cal State Fullerton. 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." 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. The funds would come from School Choice, [] Pulseline: to submit your thoughts click here, Gateway grows up, downs Westfield Technical 41-8, St. Marys schools go remote amid uptick in city COVID cases, Threadbare high school band uniforms to be replaced, Southwick Food Pantry receives donation from Westfield River Brewery, Think local when planning your holiday shopping list. The Westfield HS Marching Bulldogs of Chantilly, VA - a 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade band 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. Email remy.samuels@patch.com. 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, 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. Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States who met the programs criteria of "action, courage, creativity and growth.". Patrick Hoff, Director. 871 likes. 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. Have a news tip? 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. Fine and Performing Arts Course Catalog. Copyright 2017 The Westfield News Group. 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.. Band Director Westfield High School Westfield, NJ. Only the flutes dont use them. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. Through music we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork, among other things, he says. Westfield HS Band, Chantilly, Virginia. 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. Granite Bay High School Emerald Brigade. The baby had a birth defect and died a week later. The Westfield High School band has a hashtag #BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families. In addition, his ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after year. Band Director: Andrew Muth. Thank you for continuing to support the WHS Bands and Guard programs during these unusual times. The plaintiffs are not named in the lawsuit, and The Times does not name victims of sexual assaults. He continues to perform with ensembles, such as the Charles Dickens Carolers at venues throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Chris takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. Vitale explained that there is a communal aspect of making music with other people that is not something students get in other academic subjects. Please enter an email address where you can be reached if the staffer needs to respond to you. Central Jersey Music Educators Association. Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe, This article originally appeared on the Westfield Patch. Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band (California State University, Fresno) Fresno. All rights reserved. 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. . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Venice High Schools Band Director,Mr. Leehails from a small suburban town in South Jersey. The nonprofit NJMBDA had over 70 high school bands join in its first year. 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. 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 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 October 1983, she gave birth to a boy, naming him Richard after his father. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. 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 co-director Trevor Sindorf was among a number of people who wrote letters of recommendation in support of Vitales nomination. He had explained to me thats what happened when people are in love and that he loved me, she said. Venice High School's Band Director, Mr. Lee hails from a small suburban town in South Jersey. Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe. Chris takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. 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.. 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. 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. Hailing from Temecula, she previously covered Riverside County and the Inland Empire and is now focused on Orange County. More than 70 high school bands joined the non-profit organization in its first year. 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. 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. E-mail: hoff@lausd.net or patrickmhoff@gmail.com Subject: BAND. Westfield High School Bands. Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf. Many of her students have been accepted into prestigious programs, such as California Summer School of the Arts, SCVA Honors Choir, California All-State Choir, and ACDA National Honor Choir, for the past consecutive years. Westfield Winds is the 2021 IPA Open Class State Champion, 2021 WGI Class A Finalist, and 2021 WGI Fan Favorite. 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 allegedly impregnated one girl three times, ordering her to abort the fetuses. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). Band Boosters Charms Office Suite Questions? Self-reflection and self-improvement have superseded competition. 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. 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. Performance credits include studio and motion picture work with LA Master Chorale and Pacific Chorale. 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. I was so unbelievably proud that Westfield was recognized on a national stage for music educators all around the country to see.. To send an email to this staff member, fill out and submit this form. The Los Angeles High School Band and Color Guard is the premier band in the city of Los . Band Director, HS. Elgas was a well-known band director in Orange County. 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." drum and bugle corps, color guards and drum lines. All rights reserved.Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility, New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association. Our students get 1-on-1, hands-on training with music educators at the top of their field. Chris Vitale - Westfield High School Band Director; Anticipated Cost. He said the younger music instructors in the district have been helping him with all of the transitions. Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. The estimated cost of the revised plan is $9MM, approximately half that of the initial proposal. I think weve been fortunate to maintain as many kids in our program as we have. These groups study and perform a variety of literature, including swing, jazz, funk, and latin. Hes gone through generations of young women, and the district did nothing to protect these students. The band director, Richard Elgas, retired in 2003 after a nearly 40-year career. Who can participate? We are proud that we have students from every walk of life within . Our staff bring their years and decades of experience to every one of our workshops. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. 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. "A big part of what we provide in high school band is a social network for the kids.". Kids love to play, and everybody loves to see them do it. 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 And I think music and art have proven to be a way for students to kind of just step away from that.". The Westfield Bands have given performance tours of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy. When she was 18 and pregnant by Elgas again, she changed her mind at the abortion clinic. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Granite Bay. 18250 N. Union Street . 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.. She is an educator of many musical talents, where there have been times where she was a one wo-man band. FAX: (323) 936-8455. We are proud that we have students from every walk of life within our school community in the band. WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. The administration and maintenance are doing a nice job, and trying to keep the rooms really clean. 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. Enrollment in the WHS Bands has doubled since his arrival in 2011. Westfield, New Jersey. Westfield Band Boosters are grateful for the crafters and shoppers who participated in the Outdoor Event on October 10, 2020. The backbone of . 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. 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.. They have the covers for trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, and ones for the tubas are enroute. Mr. Winson began his career in Fort Bend ISD as the assistant director of bands at . "I did not see this coming at all.". 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. To motivate and inspire his students, Vitale maintains a good balance between high standards and positive support for his students. 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. The eight former students sued unnamed defendants who were responsible for overseeing Elgas. Great Oak High School Marching Band. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Sarnoff is also one of six female American Sailing Association instructors/evaluators, where she is the lead instructor of the largest sailing school in Southern California. 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. Band Director: Andrew Muth. Salad, Sandwich Shop To Open Very Soon In Westfield, Union County Celebrates Arbor Day 2023 with Free Trees for Schools. Orchestra. Remy Samuels 2/10/2022. 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