(above) Members of the Westfield High School Jazz Band played alongside world-renowned saxophonist Jaleel Shaw (left front) during a recent performance at the Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair as part of a jazz education initiative. Credit: Michael Mullan.
Music Education Program in Westfield Public Schools Receives National Recognition
For a second consecutive year, the Westfield Public School District has been named one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” in the nation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
The 2019 Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. The award is based on music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, funding, graduation requirements and community music-making programs.
“I’m very proud of the music department on receiving this honor for a second year,” says Thomas Weber, Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts for Westfield Public Schools. “It is the support of the Board of Education members, administration, teachers, staff, community and our talented students that make this national recognition possible.”
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music.
“I congratulate Mr. Weber and all of our music instructors, conductors, directors and our student musicians for this prestigious recognition,” says Superintendent of Schools Dr. Margaret Dolan. “Each year, many of our talented students are recognized for musical honors which is a testament to the hard work of both our student musicians and our dedicated music staff.”
Recent recognition of the district’s music program include an invitation to the Westfield High School Wind Ensemble to perform at the New Jersey State Band Gala on May 5 at Bridgewater- Raritan High School.
“Each region in the state selects four ensembles to represent them at the state gala event, totaling only 12 bands from all of New Jersey,” says WHS band director Christopher Vitale. “This is only the second time in school history that WHS has been invited which is pretty exciting.”
After rigorous auditions, 15 WHS choral students were accepted to the New Jersey All-State Chorus. Ninth grader Mia Johnson will perform with the New Jersey All-State Treble Chorus while the following singers will join the New Jersey All-State Mixed Chorus: Juniors Daniel Andrade, Vincent Mora, Lydia Nisita, Elisa Saint-Denis and Rachel Seiden (who scored 2nd in the state); sophomores Luke Barry, Olivia Ebel, Sam Horvath, Zaria Katz, Finn McGurn, Matthew Meixner, Aishik Palit, Elisa Saint-Denis; and freshmen Charles Garretson.
And the WHS Jazz Band recently was invited to play alongside world-renowned saxophonist Jaleel Shaw at the Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair as part of “Students of Jazz Program,” an educational initiative created by the professional jazz band, “One More Once Big Band.”
The WHS jazz band played a 30-minute opening set for “One More Once Big Band.” “It was a unique experience for our young students to perform in a professional environment,” says band director Trevor Sindorf.
Photos by Westfield Public Schools.
(above) On the heels of performing at a national music festival in Indiana in March, the Westfield High School Wind Ensemble has been invited to perform at the New Jersey State Band Gala in May. Credit: Music for All National Festival.
