Music Teacher, HS. "I lost probably 25 kids. 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. They are: Nolan Daly, 11th grade, Trumpet, All-State Symphonic Band . 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. I was so unbelievably proud that Westfield was recognized on a national stage for music educators all around the country to see.". All DMA Staff. Socially distanced band practice at Westfield High School. "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. 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. 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. "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. He said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program served them well later in life. Phone: (317) 867-6800. When she was 18 and pregnant by Elgas again, she changed her mind at the abortion clinic. "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. [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. Each year, these groups perform at concerts, adjudicated festivals, and various civic occasions. 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. The Westfield High School band has a hashtag #BandFamily that resonates with students, staff and families. 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. 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. 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. In his letter, he notes that Vitalevoluntarily hosts a well-attended book club before school for any student interested in strengthening their leadership skills. Elgas does not appear to have been criminally charged. He said the younger music instructors in the district have been helping him with all of the transitions. The Los Angeles High School Band and Color Guard is the premier band in the city of Los . WHS Band Director Receives Prestigious Honor. Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. Though the award recognized me as an individual, I saw it more as a recognition of our band programs in Westfield, he says. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The Marching.com links directory lists websites related to high school marching bands, college bands, Our staff bring their years and decades of experience to every one of our workshops. 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. How Many Inches Of Snow Did Westfield Get? Carney urged any additional victims to contact him. "I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. We might put together some small ensembles and record them for the holidays. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Band Boosters Charms Office Suite Questions? Venice High School's Band Director, Mr. Lee hails from a small suburban town in South Jersey. Fremont Junior High, which closed in 1989, and Sycamore Junior High were part of the Anaheim Union High school district. For so long, he was treated like this venerated figure.. "Through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork," Vitale said. WHS Band Director Patrick Kennedy said [] (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). 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. 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The administration and maintenance are doing a nice job, and trying to keep the rooms really clean. He said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program served them well later in life. "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.. We are proud that we have students from every walk of life within . 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. 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. Two of the districts high school band directors, Alex Delao and Jeffrey William Plum, were convicted of molesting students in the 1980s. Music Director. Itinerant Music, Strings, Teacher . Venice High Schools Band Director,Mr. Leehails from a small suburban town in South Jersey. In 1998, he took the Sycamore Junior High band to Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to perform as the opening act for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Hes gone through generations of young women, and the district did nothing to protect these students. According to Director of Bands Chris Vitale, The key ingredients of #BandFamily at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, respect and support. The plaintiffs are not named in the lawsuit, and The Times does not name victims of sexual assaults. A strong proponent for musical enrichment in the community, he was deeply involved with the UCLAMusic Performance and Education Outreach Program. E-mail: hoff@lausd.net or patrickmhoff@gmail.com Subject: BAND. "A big part of what we provide in high school band is a social network for the kids.". 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. A second pregnancy ended the same way. Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States who met the programs criteria of "action, courage, creativity and growth.". Copyright 2017 The Westfield News Group. 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. Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States who met the programs criteria of "action, courage, creativity and growth.". WESTFIELD, NJ Westfield High School band director Christopher Vitale was recognized among 40 "outstanding music directors" all under the age of 40 for his . (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association. He said it wasnt a sin.. 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. A spokesperson for the school district declined to comment, citing the litigation. To motivate and inspire his students, Vitale maintains a good balance between high standards and positive support for his students. Hailing from Temecula, she previously covered Riverside County and the Inland Empire and is now focused on Orange County. In addition, his ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after year. 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. The baby had a birth defect and died a week later. "I think our main focus was just on trying to keep the kids connected," Vitale said. WHS Band Director Patrick Kennedy is learning new tricks. Kennedy said the numbers of students taking band are lower at WHS than they ever have been. William Schnepper . Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. Great Oak High School Marching Band. Chris takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. According to Director of Bands Chris Vitale, "The key ingredients of #BandFamily at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, respect and support. Band Director: Andrew Muth. There are hand sanitizers in the classrooms and extra masks. 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. By helping others, you create a better experience for yourself a win-win. Fax: (317) 867-2909. More than 70 high school bands joined the non-profit organization in its first year. Your Email. 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. 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. 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 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. This is just the tip of the iceberg, Carney said. Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States under the age of 40 who meet the programs criteria of action, courage, creativity, and growth. The Westfield Band Boosters cordially invite you to apply to our 13th Annual Holiday Craft Show to be held on Saturday, November 20th, 2021. He said the jazz band, which is anywhere from 10 to 20 students, can fit in the practice room together.In some ways this has allowed us to evaluate what we do and who we are, he said.Kennedy acknowledged that all of the moving parts have slowed down how much material they can cover, and they havent been allowed to schedule any performances. The 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. 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