"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. 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. Click on any of the icons below to follow our social media accounts! They are: Nolan Daly, 11th grade, Trumpet, All-State Symphonic Band . 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.. 18250 N. Union Street. 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. Westfield Band Boosters are grateful for the crafters and shoppers who participated in the Outdoor Event on October 10, 2020. A bit aways from his hometown, his musical . Mr. Vitale holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music in Conducting Performance from the University of Delaware. 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.. Elgas does not appear to have been criminally charged. 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. Hailing from Temecula, she previously covered Riverside County and the Inland Empire and is now focused on Orange County. 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. jazz I , jazz II, & STage Band. Hes gone through generations of young women, and the district did nothing to protect these students. We are proud that we have students from every walk of life within . 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. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). 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. 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. 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. Gregory Rupert. 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. 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. 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. Remy Samuels , Patch Staff Posted Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 4:48 . Have a news tip? 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. In his letter, he notes that Vitalevoluntarily hosts a well-attended book club before school for any student interested in strengthening their leadership skills. This proves to them that if we work together and work very hard, success will come.. Socially distanced band practice at Westfield High School. "I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. The band gave concerts at Knotts Berry Farm and played under college conductors at Cal State Fullerton. 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. Self-reflection and self-improvement have superseded competition. "I think our main focus was just on trying to keep the kids connected," Vitale said. Cerritos. Im going to keep a Google Classroom until I retire. The Westfield Bands have given performance tours of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Scofield served 13 months in prison. 871 likes. 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. WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. Fremont Junior High, which closed in 1989, and Sycamore Junior High were part of the Anaheim Union High school district. 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. By helping others, you create a better experience for yourself a win-win. I was so unbelievably proud that Westfield was recognized on a national stage for music educators all around the country to see.". Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States who met the programs criteria of "action, courage, creativity and growth.". 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. Performance credits include studio and motion picture work with LA Master Chorale and Pacific Chorale. Westfield High School Bands. 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. 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. Email remy.samuels@patch.com. The backbone of . Please enter an email address where you can be reached if the staffer needs to respond to you. 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. Vitale said his nomination was completely unexpected. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Granada Hills Charter High School Highlander Band. Chris takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. Prerequisite: Co-enrollment in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Concert Band and/or Director's approval through audition. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. Copyright 2017 The Westfield News Group. Vitale explained that there is a communal aspect of making music with other people that is not something students get in other academic subjects. 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. The marching band is open to any student in grades 9-12. Stay updated with what's happening at Westfield High School with News You Choose Sign Up Now . Mr. Lee received a Master of Music degree in Conducting from the University of California, Los Angeles. 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. 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. Granite Bay. In ninth grade, Elgas began taking her to his house to have sex, she said. Elgas was a well-known band director in Orange County. Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. For so long, he was treated like this venerated figure.. The estimates received from two different companies for 120 uniforms averaged approximately $65,000. All four of the Westfield High School student musicians who qualified for Region Band in January also were awarded spots in All-State Band. New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association. 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. Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band (California State University, Fresno) Fresno. Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States who met the programs criteria of "action, courage, creativity and growth.". 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. Westfield HS Band, Chantilly, Virginia. 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. How Many Inches Of Snow Did Westfield Get? Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. Stephanie Lai was a 2020 intern for the Los Angeles Times. "Through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork," Vitale said. "I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. She dropped out of high school and ran away to a home for unwed teenage mothers. "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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. The estimated cost of the revised plan is $9MM, approximately half that of the initial proposal. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. Music Teacher, HS. Through this program he was able to make his European conducting debut at the historic La Schola Cantorum de Paris. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). More than 70 high school bands joined the non-profit organization in its first year. 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"I did not see this coming at all.". There, he served asAssociate Conductor of the University Chorus, Assistant Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra, Teaching Assistant of the Advanced Conducting Techniques class, and Tour Manager for UCLA Choral Activities. We look forward to growing in 2022 as an organization run by directors focused on providing world-class adjudication at a low price, Vitale says. 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. 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. I think theyll come back once things change. In 1998, he took the Sycamore Junior High band to Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to perform as the opening act for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. "We discovered that these 4 students are the 86th, 87th . 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. 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. Right now, Bob Plasse of Westfield on Weekends contacted me to see if we could do something on Channel 15. But he also had a reputation for getting too close to some girls in his class, according to the lawsuit. To send an email to this staff member, fill out and submit this form. Sept. 29, 2020 3:23 PM PT. 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. Vitale said his nomination was completely unexpected. We might put together some small ensembles and record them for the holidays. 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. 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. Chris Vitale - Westfield High School Band Director; Anticipated Cost. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. More than 70 high school bands joined the non-profit organization in its first year. 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. He is very excited to work with the studentsandlooking forward to building a strong and comprehensive music program at Venice High School. Westfield, New Jersey. 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. 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. Chris takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. Central Jersey Music Educators Association. WHS Band Director Patrick Kennedy said [] 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." "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.. 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. 36 character (s) remaining. Remy Samuels 2/10/2022. 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. She is an educator of many musical talents, where there have been times where she was a one wo-man band. 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 When they do well, I tell them and when they dont, I dont shy away from making that known. Contact Band Director, Andrew Muth at mutha@wws.k12.in.us Follow Us: Westfield High School 18250 N Union Street Westfield IN 46074 Phone: (317) 867-6800 Fax: (317) 867-2909 The band . [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. Have a news tip? "Through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork," Vitale said. "A big part of what we provide in high school band is a social network for the kids.". 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. The Westfield HS Marching Bulldogs of Chantilly, VA - a 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade band All rights reserved.Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility, New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association. 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.. 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). According to Director of Bands Chris Vitale, "The key ingredients of #BandFamily at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, respect and support. The administration and maintenance are doing a nice job, and trying to keep the rooms really clean. NEW! Vitale explained that there is a communal aspect of making music with other people that is not something students get in other academic subjects. Carney urged any additional victims to contact him. WESTFIELD The Westfield High School Marching Band is in the middle of a busy season, and they're loving every minute of it. Ive been impressed here. 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