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. Links to high school marching bands, college bands, middle school bands and sites of interest to California. Remy Samuels , Patch Staff Posted Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 4:48 . 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. Enrollment in the WHS Bands has doubled since his arrival in 2011. Band Director: Andrew Muth. Kennedy does all of the remote classes from the high school, which he has made as home base. Vitale is also a leader throughout the state and helped start the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association (NJMBDA). But he also had a reputation for getting too close to some girls in his class, according to the lawsuit. 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. Gregory Rupert. When they do well, I tell them and when they dont, I dont shy away from making that known. 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. 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. "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, 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. 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. "We discovered that these 4 students are the 86th, 87th . 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. Fine and Performing Arts Course Catalog. To motivate and inspire his students, Vitale maintains a good balance between high standards and positive support for his students. Im going to keep a Google Classroom until I retire. I think theyll come back once things change. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf writes. Though the award recognized me as an individual, I saw it more as a recognition of our band programs in Westfield, he says. Copyright 2017 The Westfield News Group. 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. 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. Stay updated with what's happening at Westfield High School with News You Choose Sign Up Now . Westfield, New Jersey. The nonprofit NJMBDA had over 70 high school bands join in its first year. William Schnepper . Westfield plans to award a band scholarship in her name, and donations payable to Westfield High School Music Boosters Club may be sent to the school at 4700 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, VA 20151. 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. Itinerant Music, Strings, Teacher . Band Director, HS. 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. To send an email to this staff member, fill out and submit this form. Vitale explained that there is a communal aspect of making music with other people that is not something students get in other academic subjects. 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. He said the younger music instructors in the district have been helping him with all of the transitions. "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. All rights reserved. According to Director of Bands Chris Vitale, The key ingredients of #BandFamily at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, respect and support. He is very excited to work with the studentsandlooking forward to building a strong and comprehensive music program at Venice High School. "I think our main focus was just on trying to keep the kids connected," Vitale said. One of the largest all-handmade craft shows in central Indiana, each year we host over 160 booths and 2,500 shoppers! 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. There are hand sanitizers in the classrooms and extra masks. Westfield High School Bands Band Director: Andrew Muth 18250 N. Union Street Westfield, IN 46074 Phone: (317) 867-6800Fax: (317) 867-2909 Get Connected! 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. He said it wasnt a sin.. The kids have been great in wearing the masks, and staying socially distanced. Granite Bay. He said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program served them well later in life. The 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. "A big part of what we provide in high school band is a social network for the kids.". 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. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Vitale said his nomination was completely unexpected. 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. Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band (California State University, Fresno) Fresno. Music Teacher, HS. THE LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL BAND AND COLOR GUARD BIOGRAPHY. 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. We are proud that we have students from every walk of life within our school community in the band. "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. WHS Band Director Patrick Kennedy said [] 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. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. 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. 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. 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. 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. Self-reflection and self-improvement have superseded competition. Mr. Lee received a Master of Music degree in Conducting from the University of California, Los Angeles. 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. 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. 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.. They appreciate the honest approach and the sense of accomplishment that they feel when they reach their goals is far greater as a result., Every other year, Vitale runs a leadership book club that is open to any student. He continues to perform with ensembles, such as the Charles Dickens Carolers at venues throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. 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. 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 Bands have given performance tours of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Fremont Junior High, which closed in 1989, and Sycamore Junior High were part of the Anaheim Union High school district. Anti-Bullying Coordinator. Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. Elgas does not appear to have been criminally charged. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. 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. The band director, Richard Elgas, retired in 2003 after a nearly 40-year career. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. Mr. Vitale holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music in Conducting Performance from the University of Delaware. Great Oak High School Marching Band. 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. Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe. He allegedly impregnated one girl three times, ordering her to abort the fetuses. WESTFIELD The Westfield High School Marching Band is in the middle of a busy season, and they're loving every minute of it. The WTA band is fully remote this year, because the school is only open for the students during their shop weeks. 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. 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.. Junior Jimmy Krupienski plays with a new PPE bell cover on his trumpet. Im pretty proud of them so far, Kennedy said.Kennedy said the music program In some districts has really been decimated by the coronavirus. In class, Elgas sometimes dimmed the lights and pushed boys and girls together to force them to kiss, she said. 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. "Through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork," Vitale said. Elgas family members could not be reached for comment. Copyright 2023 Westfield Public Schools. The Westfield High School band director was recognized by Yamaha for his achievements as an educator and growing the WHS music program. "I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. Right now, Bob Plasse of Westfield on Weekends contacted me to see if we could do something on Channel 15. "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. In addition, his ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after year. Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. In October 1983, she gave birth to a boy, naming him Richard after his father. 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. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. Remy Samuels 2/10/2022. 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.. These groups study and perform a variety of literature, including swing, jazz, funk, and latin. All rights reserved (About Us). He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. Hailing from Temecula, she previously covered Riverside County and the Inland Empire and is now focused on Orange County. A second pregnancy ended the same way. And I have always tried to be bluntly honest with my students, he says. The marching band is open to any student in grades 9-12. More than 70 high school bands joined the non-profit organization in its first year. The plaintiffs are not named in the lawsuit, and The Times does not name victims of sexual assaults. Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf. I think weve been fortunate to maintain as many kids in our program as we have. Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States who met the programs criteria of "action, courage, creativity and growth.". Westfield High School Bands. 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. "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.. Itinerant Music, Band, Teacher. Chris Vitale - Westfield High School Band Director; Anticipated Cost. Westfield High School Bands. Through music we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork, among other things, he says. These eight women deserve to be vindicated. Westfield, IN 46074. I was so unbelievably proud that Westfield was recognized on a national stage for music educators all around the country to see.. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. . NEW! Back to Departments. 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.. Band Boosters Charms Office Suite Questions? (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). The Westfield Band Boosters cordially invite you to apply to our 13th Annual Holiday Craft Show to be held on Saturday, November 20th, 2021. 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. Venice High Schools Band Director,Mr. Leehails from a small suburban town in South Jersey. A bit aways from his hometown, his musical . In ninth grade, Elgas began taking her to his house to have sex, she said. Music Director. 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. Fax: (317) 867-2909. Chris takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. 18250 N. Union Street. Prior to coming to Westfield High School Mr. Vitale served as a high school band director in Fairfax County, Virginia. Our workshops are taught by university professors and high school band directors. 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