A spokesperson for the school district declined to comment, citing the litigation. Phone: (317) 867 . Chris takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. Elgas family members could not be reached for comment. Granada Hills. Vitale explained that there is a communal aspect of making music with other people that is not something students get in other academic subjects. Through music we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork, among other things, he says. 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. Vitale said his nomination was completely unexpected. Orchestra. A strong proponent for musical enrichment in the community, he was deeply involved with the UCLAMusic Performance and Education Outreach Program. Elgas took her to get an abortion. Each year, I am amazed and inspired by how accepting our students are of each other no matter what the circumstances.. 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 class, Elgas sometimes dimmed the lights and pushed boys and girls together to force them to kiss, she said. The estimated cost of the revised plan is $9MM, approximately half that of the initial proposal. 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. Thank you for continuing to support the WHS Bands and Guard programs during these unusual times. The Los Angeles High School Band and Color Guard is the premier band in the city of Los . 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. 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. She is an educator of many musical talents, where there have been times where she was a one wo-man band. Telephone: (323) 900-2748. Westfield HS Band, Chantilly, Virginia. 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." He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. They have the covers for trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, and ones for the tubas are enroute. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. 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. He had explained to me thats what happened when people are in love and that he loved me, she said. Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. The Westfield Band Boosters cordially invite you to apply to our 13th Annual Holiday Craft Show to be held on Saturday, November 20th, 2021. We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education, Sindorf writes. 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.". 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.. The final time, in 1983, she had the baby, but he died seven days later, the lawsuit said. Performance credits include studio and motion picture work with LA Master Chorale and Pacific Chorale. 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 is also a leader throughout the state and helped start the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association (NJMBDA). Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. WHS Band Director Receives Prestigious Honor. Enrollment in the WHS Bands has doubled since his arrival in 2011. A bit aways from his hometown, his musical . All rights reserved. For some kids, the online thing isnt for them. Gahr High School Marching Gladiators. I was so unbelievably proud that Westfield was recognized on a national stage for music educators all around the country to see.. 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. 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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. 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. "Through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork," Vitale said. Director of Bands Andrew MuthAssistant Director- Alex Sparks Director of Operations- Peter Lintzenich Performing Arts Instruction Assistant- Dave Shinault, Director Andrew MuthAssistant Director- Alex SparksHornline Director- Aaron CowgillDirector of Operations- Peter LintzenichGuard Director - Megan MillerPercussion Director - Michael RennakerProgram Coordinator Jack PursifullMusic Arranger - Don BarrettChoreographer - Brayton MendenhallHornline Staff Dave Shinault, Max Degnan, Mitchell Urban, and Shawn CollierPercussion Staff- Jack Doerges,Colton King, Sammy Bonnet, and Orion Avery Guard Staff- Kevin Panzarella, Glenn Panzarella, and Olivia Carlstedt, Director Andrew MuthAssistant Director- Alex SparksHornline Director- Aaron CowgillDirector of Operations- Peter LintzenichProgram Designer Jack PursifullMusic Arranger - Don BarrettStaff Max Degnan and Dave Shinault, Director - Megan MillerProgram Coordinator - Andrew MuthDirector of Operations- Peter Lintzenich Performing Arts Instruction Assistant- Dave ShinaultProgram Designer- Jack PursifullChoreographer - Brayton MendenhallStaff- Olivia Carlstedt, Kevin Panzarella, and Glenn Panzarella, Westfield Indoor Percussion Staff 2022/23, Director - Michael RennakerProgram Coordinator - Andrew MuthDirector of Operations- Peter Lintzenich Performing Arts Instruction Assistant- Dave ShinaultProgram Designer- Jack PursifullMusic Arranger - Don BarrettPercussion Supervisor- Orion AveryStaff- Jack Doerges, Colton King, and Sammy Bonnet, Andrew Muth email: mutha@wws.k12.in.us, cell: 547-971-1248, Alex Sparks - email:sparksa@wws.k12.in.us, PeterLintzenich - email:lintzenichp@wws.k12.in.us, Please do not contact staff through their. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. 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. 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. Itinerant Music, Strings, Teacher . "I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. Email remy.samuels@patch.com. The WTA band is fully remote this year, because the school is only open for the students during their shop weeks. The Westfield High School band director was recognized by Yamaha for his achievements as an educator and growing the WHS music program. "I think our main focus was just on trying to keep the kids connected," Vitale said. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The nonprofit NJMBDA had over 70 high school bands join in its first year. [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. All rights reserved (About Us). Prerequisite: Co-enrollment in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Concert Band and/or Director's approval through audition. 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, says Thomas Weber, Supervisor of K-12 Visual and Performing Arts. 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. Enrollment in the WHS Bands has doubled since his arrival in 2011. Click on any of the icons below to follow our social media accounts! "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 administration and maintenance are doing a nice job, and trying to keep the rooms really clean. THE LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL BAND AND COLOR GUARD BIOGRAPHY. 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 The band gave concerts at Knotts Berry Farm and played under college conductors at Cal State Fullerton. I keep things very casual and try to let the students drive the discussions, Vitale says. Two of the districts high school band directors, Alex Delao and Jeffrey William Plum, were convicted of molesting students in the 1980s. All four of the Westfield High School student musicians who qualified for Region Band in January also were awarded spots in All-State Band. In 1998, he took the Sycamore Junior High band to Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to perform as the opening act for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In October 1983, she gave birth to a boy, naming him Richard after his father. Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf. Our workshops are taught by university professors and high school band directors. Email remy.samuels@patch.com. In addition, his ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after year. 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. The kids have been great in wearing the masks, and staying socially distanced. 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. 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