(THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). "I did not see this coming at all.". Phone: (317) 867 . Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe. THE LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL BAND AND COLOR GUARD BIOGRAPHY. Your Email. 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. The estimated cost of the revised plan is $9MM, approximately half that of the initial proposal. WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. 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. Cerritos. 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 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. The final time, in 1983, she had the baby, but he died seven days later, the lawsuit said. The administration and maintenance are doing a nice job, and trying to keep the rooms really clean. All rights reserved. The Westfield Bands have given performance tours of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Venice High School's Band Director, Mr. Lee hails from a small suburban town in South Jersey. 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). ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & ELEMENTARY DIRECTOR, music/visual instructor & middle school director, MUSIC/VISUAL INSTRUCTOR & MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR, Copyright 2022 Westfield High School Bands. Band Director, HS. Hailing from Temecula, she previously covered Riverside County and the Inland Empire and is now focused on Orange County. Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Westfield, New Jersey. The WTA band is fully remote this year, because the school is only open for the students during their shop weeks. All rights reserved (About Us). 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 kids have been great in wearing the masks, and staying socially distanced. Contact Form. These groups study and perform a variety of literature, including swing, jazz, funk, and latin. 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. Our workshops are taught by university professors and high school band directors. Self-reflection and self-improvement have superseded competition. The marching band is open to any student in grades 9-12. There are hand sanitizers in the classrooms and extra masks. He described Vitale as an extremely dedicated teacher who is invested in the success of his students. Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States who met the programs criteria of "action, courage, creativity and growth.". Katherine Pierce. Im pretty proud of them so far, Kennedy said.Kennedy said the music program In some districts has really been decimated by the coronavirus. Right now, Bob Plasse of Westfield on Weekends contacted me to see if we could do something on Channel 15. 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. He had explained to me thats what happened when people are in love and that he loved me, she said. FAX: (323) 936-8455. These eight women deserve to be vindicated. She dropped out of high school and ran away to a home for unwed teenage mothers. Though the award recognized me as an individual, I saw it more as a recognition of our band programs in Westfield, he says. A bit aways from his hometown, his musical endeavors have taken him across the globe, but now have landed him in Los Angeles. 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. Band Director Westfield High School Westfield, NJ. drum and bugle corps, color guards and drum lines. This is just the tip of the iceberg, Carney said. 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. More than 70 high school bands joined the non-profit organization in its first year. Chris takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. 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. All four of the Westfield High School student musicians who qualified for Region Band in January also were awarded spots in All-State Band. Phone: (317) 867-6800. 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. New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association. Self-reflection and self-improvement have superseded competition. We are proud that we have students from every walk of life within . Westfield High School Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was among a number of people who wrote letters of recommendation in support of Vitales nomination. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 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 Band Boosters are grateful for the crafters and shoppers who participated in the Outdoor Event on October 10, 2020. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. 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. Mr. Vitale holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music in Conducting Performance from the University of Delaware. Band Director: Andrew Muth. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. The Westfield High School band director was recognized by Yamaha for his achievements as an educator and growing the WHS music program. Copyright 2017 The Westfield News Group. Scofield served 13 months in prison. 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. And I have always tried to be bluntly honest with my students, he says. The lawsuit was filed in June by four plaintiffs and amended on Monday to include four additional victims, said Michael Carney, an attorney representing the eight women. Elgas was a well-known band director in Orange County. Westfield High School Bands Band Director: Andrew Muth 18250 N. Union Street Westfield, IN 46074 Phone: (317) 867-6800Fax: (317) 867-2909 Get Connected! "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. 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. He described Vitale as an extremely dedicated teacher who is invested in the success of 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 band . In class, Elgas sometimes dimmed the lights and pushed boys and girls together to force them to kiss, she said. "I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf wrote. The facility has a Springfield postal address . She had not told her parents about the pregnancies, though they eventually tracked her down. 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. E-mail: hoff@lausd.net or patrickmhoff@gmail.com Subject: BAND. Kids love to play, and everybody loves to see them do it. I keep things very casual and try to let the students drive the discussions, Vitale says. Itinerant Music, Strings, Teacher . Kennedy said the numbers of students taking band are lower at WHS than they ever have been. He allegedly impregnated one girl three times, ordering her to abort the fetuses. 36 character (s) remaining. jazz I , jazz II, & STage Band. According to Director of Bands Chris Vitale, "The key ingredients of #BandFamily at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, respect and support. He said it wasnt a sin.. Stephanie Lai was a 2020 intern for the Los Angeles Times. Westfield HS Band, Chantilly, Virginia. 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.. WHS Band Director Patrick Kennedy said [] "Through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork," Vitale said. Email remy.samuels@patch.com. Chris Vitale - Westfield High School Band Director; Anticipated Cost. But he also had a reputation for getting too close to some girls in his class, according to the lawsuit. The band gave concerts at Knotts Berry Farm and played under college conductors at Cal State Fullerton. Thank you for continuing to support the WHS Bands and Guard programs during these unusual times. In ninth grade, Elgas began taking her to his house to have sex, she said. Enrollment in the WHS Bands has doubled since his arrival in 2011. "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.. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. 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. Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band (California State University, Fresno) Fresno. 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. [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. The band director, Richard Elgas, retired in 2003 after a nearly 40-year career. Granada Hills Charter High School Highlander Band. Enrollment in the WHS Bands has doubled since his arrival in 2011. Copyright 2023 Westfield Public Schools. The baby had a birth defect and died a week later. The Marching.com links directory lists websites related to high school marching bands, college bands,
It is . Our students get 1-on-1, hands-on training with music educators at the top of their field. 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.. NEW! 18250 N. Union Street. 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. 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. They have the covers for trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, and ones for the tubas are enroute. 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. He said he sees music students there online every day. WHS Bands Staff Director of Bands- Andrew Muth Assistant Director- Alex Sparks Director of Operations- Peter Lintzenich Performing Arts Instruction Assistant- Dave Shinault Pride of Westfield Staff 2022 Director - Andrew Muth Assistant Director- Alex Sparks Hornline Director- Aaron Cowgill Director of Operations- Peter Lintzenich Westfield Winds is the 2021 IPA Open Class State Champion, 2021 WGI Class A Finalist, and 2021 WGI Fan Favorite. 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. I lost probably 25 kids. Through this program he was able to make his European conducting debut at the historic La Schola Cantorum de Paris. "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. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf writes. Band Director: Andrew Muth. Remy Samuels 2/10/2022. Music Director. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. Two of the districts high school band directors, Alex Delao and Jeffrey William Plum, were convicted of molesting students in the 1980s. Shortly after her 15th birthday, she got pregnant. Granite Bay. Our staff bring their years and decades of experience to every one of our workshops. 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. "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. The iceberg, Carney said taking band are lower at WHS than ever. Town: https: //patch.com/subscribe drum and bugle corps, COLOR guards and lines. Is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf writes now Bob... Are proud that we have students from every walk of life within doing! 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