The final time, in 1983, she had the baby, but he died seven days later, the lawsuit said. 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. The funds would come from School Choice, [] Kids love to play, and everybody loves to see them do it. 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. Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. WHS Band Director Patrick Kennedy said [] I lost probably 25 kids. 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. And I think music and art have proven to be a way for students to kind of just step away from that.". Our students get 1-on-1, hands-on training with music educators at the top of their field. Vitale said his nomination was completely unexpected. Our staff bring their years and decades of experience to every one of our workshops. 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. Vitale said his nomination was completely unexpected. Email remy.samuels@patch.com. 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. 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. WESTFIELD The Westfield High School Marching Band is in the middle of a busy season, and they're loving every minute of it. The Westfield High School band director was recognized by Yamaha for his achievements as an educator and growing the WHS music program. A bit aways from his hometown, his musical endeavors have taken him across the globe, but now have landed him in Los Angeles. Phone: (317) 867 . WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was among a number of people who wrote letters of recommendation in support of Vitales nomination. Westfield, New Jersey. 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. 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. Westfield High School Bands. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Mr. Lee sang with the NEC Chamber Singers and Concert Choir and regularly performed in the Undergraduate Opera Scenes program and Graduate Opera productions. Email remy.samuels@patch.com. He described Vitale as an extremely dedicated teacher who is invested in the success of his students. He is invested in his students well-being far more than any band director I know.. 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. Westfield High School Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was among a number of people who wrote letters of recommendation in support of Vitales nomination. One of the largest all-handmade craft shows in central Indiana, each year we host over 160 booths and 2,500 shoppers! According to Director of Bands Chris Vitale, "The key ingredients of #BandFamily at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, respect and support. 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. The Westfield Band Boosters cordially invite you to apply to our 13th Annual Holiday Craft Show to be held on Saturday, November 20th, 2021. "I think our main focus was just on trying to keep the kids connected," Vitale said. Back to Departments. WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band (California State University, Fresno) Fresno. Band Director, HS. We are fortunate to have an amazing team of band directors, from elementary school through high school, that work together on a daily basis to make the bands in Westfield some of the best in New Jersey. Get a free morning newsletter with news in Westfield or another town: https://patch.com/subscribe. WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. THE LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL BAND AND COLOR GUARD BIOGRAPHY. 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. Gahr High School Marching Gladiators. To motivate and inspire his students, Vitale maintains a good balance between high standards and positive support for his students. Message. Have a news tip? Orchestra. Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey. Granite Bay High School Emerald Brigade. 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. 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. In addition, his ensembles continue to earn top performance accolades year after year. Salad, Sandwich Shop To Open Very Soon In Westfield, Union County Celebrates Arbor Day 2023 with Free Trees for Schools. She is an educator of many musical talents, where there have been times where she was a one wo-man band. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. I think theyll come back once things change. Granada Hills. Westfield Winds is the 2021 IPA Open Class State Champion, 2021 WGI Class A Finalist, and 2021 WGI Fan Favorite. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Elgas was a well-known band director in Orange County. He said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program served them well later in life. Remy Samuels 2/10/2022. Mr. David W. Lee. Carney urged any additional victims to contact him. These eight women deserve to be vindicated. 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. Only the flutes dont use them. 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. 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. 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. By helping others, you create a better experience for yourself a win-win. Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States who met the programs criteria of "action, courage, creativity and growth.". "I did not see this coming at all.". Copyright 2023 Westfield Public Schools. She had not told her parents about the pregnancies, though they eventually tracked her down. A bit aways from his hometown, his musical . 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. 18250 N. Union Street . Band Director: Andrew Muth. How Many Inches Of Snow Did Westfield Get? 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. Stephanie Lai was a 2020 intern for the Los Angeles Times. They have the covers for trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, and ones for the tubas are enroute. He said it wasnt a sin.. All rights reserved (About Us). A second pregnancy ended the same way. 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. 36 character (s) remaining. I think weve been fortunate to maintain as many kids in our program as we have. He said he sees music students there online every day. When they do well, I tell them and when they dont, I dont shy away from making that known. 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. 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 were slowly edging back towards some sense of normalcy, he said.Kennedy said the numbers of students taking band are lower at WHS than they ever have been. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Our workshops are taught by university professors and high school band directors. The baby had a birth defect and died a week later. Prior to coming to Westfield High School Mr. Vitale served as a high school band director in Fairfax County, Virginia. 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.. Prerequisite: Co-enrollment in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Concert Band and/or Director's approval through audition. 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 . Im pretty proud of them so far, Kennedy said.Kennedy said the music program In some districts has really been decimated by the coronavirus. Granada Hills Charter High School Highlander Band. Academy for Academic Excellence Marching Knights, American High School Eagles Marching Band, Archbishop Riordan High School Marching Band, Benecia High School Panther Marching Band, John Burroughs High School Instrumental Music Association, Canyon High School Canyon Regiment Marching Band, Cathedral City High School Royal Regiment, Centennial High School Husky Marching Alliance, Central Union High School Spartan Marching Band, Citrus Hill High School Midnight Marching Band, Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Marching Band, Coachella Valley High School Marching Mighty Arabs, Crescenta Valley High School Marching Band, Don Lugo High School Conquistador Marching Band, El Camino High School Golden Pride Marching Band, Fairfield High School Scarlet Brigade Band, Fountain Valley High School Royal Regiment Marching Band, Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band (California State University, Fresno), Granada Hills Charter High School Highlander Band, Hanford West High School Mighty Huskies Marching Band, Henry J. Kaiser High School Catamount Pride Marching Band, John F. Kennedy High School Shamrock Regiment, Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band, Littlerock High School Lobos Marching Band, Los Angeles Unified School District All District High School Honor Marching Band, Los Gatos High School Wildcat Marching Band, Lynbrook High School Instrumental Music Boosters, Mira Mesa High School Sapphire Sound Marching Band, Mission Viejo High School Instrumental Music, Moorpark High School Marching Musketeer Band, Murrieta Valley High School Crimson Cadets, Newport Harbor High School Marching Regiment, John W. North High School Blue Star Regiment, North Hollywood High School Royal Regiment Band, Orange Glen High School Marching Patriots, Poway High School Emerald Brigade Marching Band, Ramona High School Royal Alliance Marching Band, Rancho Buena Vista High School Marching Band, Rancho Cucamonga High School Marching Cougars, Rancho Verde High School Crimson Regiment, Redlands East Valley High School Marching Wildcats, Reyburn Intermediate School Instrumental Music Program, Riverside Community College Marching Band (RCC), Sacramento State Marching Band (California State University, Sacramento), San Diego State University Marching Aztecs, San Gorgonio High School Spartan Marching Band, San Jose State University Spartan Marching Band, San Pedro High School Golden Pirate Regiment, San Ramon Valley High School Instrumental Music, Santa Cruz High School Cardinal Marching Band, Santa Margarita Catholic High School Eagle Regiment, Santa Monica High School Samohi Viking Marching Band, Santiago High School Bands of Santiago Sharks, Saugus High School Centurion Marching Band, Simi Valley High School Instrumental Music, Sound Machine of the Inland Empire Youth Band Archive, Stockdale High School Silver Mustang Marching Band, Temple City High School Pride of Temple City Marching Band, Tesoro High School Titan Regiment Marching Band, Thousand Oaks High School Lancer Marching Band, Trabuco Hills High School Thundering Mustangs Marching Unit, University High School Marching Trojan Regiment, University of California Davis Marching Band, University of California Los Angeles Bruin Marching Band (UCLA), University of San Francisco Dons Band (USF), University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band (USC), Vista High School Regimental Band & Pageantry Corps, Vista Murrieta High School Golden Alliance Marching Band, Westlake High School Regiment Marching Band. E-mail: hoff@lausd.net or patrickmhoff@gmail.com Subject: BAND. drum and bugle corps, color guards and drum lines. Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf. Your Name. We are proud that we have students from every walk of life within . Self-reflection and self-improvement have superseded competition. The estimates received from two different companies for 120 uniforms averaged approximately $65,000. According to Director of Bands Chris Vitale, The key ingredients of #BandFamily at Westfield are kindness, acceptance, respect and support. 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. 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 material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Though the award recognized me as an individual, I saw it more as a recognition of our band programs in Westfield, he said. These groups study and perform a variety of literature, including swing, jazz, funk, and latin. Fax: (317) 867-2909. 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. The nonprofit NJMBDA had over 70 high school bands join in its first year. Self-reflection and self-improvement have superseded competition. 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 lost probably 25 kids. He said the younger music instructors in the district have been helping him with all of the transitions. Band Director: Andrew Muth. All four of the Westfield High School student musicians who qualified for Region Band in January also were awarded spots in All-State Band. 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.. . He continues to perform with ensembles, such as the Charles Dickens Carolers at venues throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. [Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. Seniors Trent Stucenski and Matt McMahon and junior Nate Valeri (seated) showing the new PPE bell covers on their instruments. 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. 871 likes. 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. 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. Mr. Winson began his career in Fort Bend ISD as the assistant director of bands at . He is very excited to work with the studentsandlooking forward to building a strong and comprehensive music program at Venice High School. Our team of veteran educators and designers brings 100+ years of combined experience in the activity. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS/AMY PORTER). For some kids, the online thing isnt for them. Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it. Each year, these groups perform at concerts, adjudicated festivals, and various civic occasions. In ninth grade, Elgas began taking her to his house to have sex, she said. 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." The kids certainly do try. And I have always tried to be bluntly honest with my students, he says. 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. 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