(above) Westfield High School band students created a special virtual concert for seniors residents after COVID-19 prevented the students from performing in person.
WHS Virtual Concert for Senior Citizens
Submitted by Mary Ann McGann
In recent years, members of the Westfield High School (WHS) Band and Orchestra have volunteered their talent and time to perform a concert for the residents at Westfield Senior Citizens Housing.
This year, with COVID-19 keeping everyone at home, WHS band directors Christopher Vitale and Trevor Sindorf came up with a way to provide some virtual entertainment to the senior residents through a unique remote learning project.
“The students had the option to create a performance on their instrument (solo or collaboration with peers) or a video message using the song of their choice,” says Vitale. “We asked them to pick music written between 1940 and 1980 so it would be relatable for their audience.”
Vitale and Sindorf say they are “extremely proud” of their band students, all of whom submitted videos to be considered for the 30-minute virtual concert, which was emailed in May to the senior residents. The video could not be posted publicly, due to copyrighted materials.
“Thank you to you and your gifted students for producing such a wonderful program for the Westfield Senior Citizens Housing,” writes recreation director Carezza Motley in an email on May 27. “We have enjoyed the astonishing creativity from such a talented group of students. I hope we can thank them all face-to-face one day soon.”
Photos by Westfield Public Schools
(above) As part of a remote learning project, members of the Westfield High School band and orchestra produced musical performances and special videos for senior citizens in Westfield.
(above) Westfield High School 12th grader Will Loggia created a special video message that includes clips of dancing scenes in popular sitcoms of the past, along with one of himself dancing in his kitchen.
(above) WHS 11th grader Sebastian Wroe performs Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C sharp minor by composer Franz Liszt, as part of a special video concert emailed to senior residents at Westfield Senior Citizens Housing.
(above) As part of a remote learning project, members of the Westfield High School band and orchestra produced musical performances and special videos for senior citizens in Westfield.
