Westfield Band Director Named To '40 Under 40' Music Advocacy Program

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.

Vitale said his nomination was completely unexpected.

"I was extremely surprised," Vitale said. "I did not see this coming at all."

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.

Vitale said there were over 35 letters written on his behalf.

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.

Vitale is among 40 music educators across the United States who met the program’s criteria of "action, courage, creativity and growth."

Vitale went to school for music education where he learned to play a variety of instruments, as well as upper level musical concepts that he now teaches to his students.

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.

More than 70 high school bands joined the non-profit organization in its first year. Vitale said the organization provides competitive marching band shows throughout every region of New Jersey.

WHS Band co-director Trevor Sindorf was one of the many people who sent in letters for Vitale's nomination. He described Vitale as an extremely dedicated teacher who is invested in the success of his students.

“We can all agree that band directing is equal parts music education and life education,” Sindorf wrote. “[Vitale] takes the 2nd assignment VERY seriously. He is invested in his students’ well-being far more than any band director I know.”

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.

"I think our main focus was just on trying to keep the kids connected," Vitale said. "A big part of what we provide in high school band is a social network for the kids."

Luckily, Vitale said this year has been "pretty normal" and that the students have been extremely resilient through all of it.

"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.

"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. And I think music and art have proven to be a way for students to kind of just step away from that."

Vitale explained that there is a communal aspect of making music with other people that is not something students get in other academic subjects. He said students learn skills in classes, like band or orchestra, that can carry over into their professional lives, such as working with people at a company toward a common goal.

He said he often hears from WHS alumni that being a part of music program served them well later in life.

"Through music, we can teach acceptance, empathy, communication, accountability, time management and teamwork," Vitale said. "If I can teach that and foster a love and appreciation for music along the way, then I think I’m doing everything I set out to do as an educator.”

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