Westfield High School Bands
  • Home
  • About
    • Why Continue With Band
    • Student Honors
  • Ensembles
    • Concert Bands >
      • About
      • Concert Members Area
      • Instrument Upgrades/Private Teachers
    • Marching Blue Devils >
      • About
      • WHSMB Member Area
    • Color Guard >
      • Color Guard Member Area
  • Leadership
    • Directors/Staff
    • Student Leaders
    • Parent Association
  • New Members
  • Resources
  • Marching Band Registration
Picture
Picture

Christopher J. Vitale
Director of bands

Gabriel Batiz
Band director

908-789-4500 x4551
EMAIL
908-789-4500 x4536
EMAIL

As the Director of Bands at Westfield High School, Mr. Vitale co-teaches the Wind Ensemble,  Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Percussion Ensembles, and Jazz Bands. He oversees two winter color guards, and co-directs the Marching Blue Devils. Enrollment in the WHS Bands has doubled since his arrival in 2011. His ensembles have given performances at the NJ State Band Gala, the New Jersey Music Educators State Conference, the Music For All National Festival, at The Lincoln Center, and at The Kimmel Center. The Westfield Bands have given performance tours of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy. The Westfield Marching Band was named a 2015 USBands Northeast Regional and National Class Champions and was named a Bands of America Regional Finalist six times since 2018.

Mr. Vitale holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music in Conducting Performance from the University of Delaware. Prior to coming to Westfield High School Mr. Vitale served as a high school band director in Fairfax County, Virginia.  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.

Mr. Vitale was selected as the 2016 Westfield High School PTSO Teacher of the Year and was named to the Yamaha Corporations "40 under 40" list in 2022. He has served as the Central Jersey Music Educators High School Band Chair and is a co-founder and current member at large with the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association. 
At Westfield High School Mr. Batiz co-teaches the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensembles. He oversees the Jazz Program and serves as the co-director of the Marching Blue Devils. 

Mr. Batiz has served in the public school system for 12 years, previously at Wayne Valley High School (Wayne, NJ). He was the director of the Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and Jazz Band, while also leading the Instrumental Instruction and Music Theory programs. His other roles included serving as the advisor for the school's Tri-M Music Honors Society, Assistant Director of Music for the theater program, and the Audio/Video Supervisor for all school and community events.  Ensembles under his direction have earned state and national recognition, most recently an invitation to the 2022 New Jersey Concert Band State Gala. 

Mr. Batiz is an active member of the music education community having involvement with the North Jersey Area Band, New Jersey School Music Association, Central Jersey Music Educators Association, New Jersey Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).  He currently serves as the President of the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association.

Outside of his daily responsibilities, Mr. Batiz serves as a guest conductor, clinician, and freelance musician in the metropolitan area while also maintaining a private lesson studio.  In 2017, he was selected as New Jersey "Governor's Teacher of the Year,” and was a finalist for the "Passaic County Teacher of the Year."
​
Mr. Batiz holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from William Paterson University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Wind Band Conducting from Montclair State University.  He resides in Rockaway, NJ with his wife Christina and twin sons, Derek and Nolan.

blue devil band staff

Our team of veteran educators and designers brings 100+ years of combined experience in the activity.
Picture
AARON STALUPPI
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & ELEMENTARY  DIRECTOR
Picture
CHAD WYMAN
Program Coordinator

​
Picture
BOBBY JONES
Drill designer


​
Picture
MICHAEL KLESCH
WIND ARRANGER


​
Picture
THOM HANNUM
BATTERY arranger
​
​
Picture
TIM MITCHELL

Electronics Design
Picture
BOBBY SCOTT

FRONT ENSEMBLE ARRANGER
Picture
ANTHONY DeMARINO
GRAPHIC/visual design
Picture
DANNY MATOS
COLORGUARD DESIGNER & DIRECTOR
Picture
CHELSEA MCFARLAND
PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR
Picture
BRIAN HORN

PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR
Picture
KATHERINE VILARDI
percussion & 
electronics
​instruction
Picture
CEDRIC THOMAS

Color Guard Instructor

Picture
RACHEL KIM

COLOR GUARD
​INSTRUCTOR

Picture
TARA KEANE

Color Guard Instructor

Picture
JOHN SCOZZARO
music/visual instructor & middle school director
Picture
JAMES DOYLE
MUSIC/VISUAL INSTRUCTOR & MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Picture
CHRIS CRUZ

MUSIC/VISUAL INSTRUCTOR
​
Picture
TREVOR SINDORF
Ensemble specialist & Elementary Band Director
Picture
STEPH MASZERA

MUSIC/VISUAL INSTRUCTOR
​
Picture
DALE BEYERT

MUSIC/VISUAL 
INSTRUCTOR
​
Copyright © 2024 Westfield High School Bands
  • Home
  • About
    • Why Continue With Band
    • Student Honors
  • Ensembles
    • Concert Bands >
      • About
      • Concert Members Area
      • Instrument Upgrades/Private Teachers
    • Marching Blue Devils >
      • About
      • WHSMB Member Area
    • Color Guard >
      • Color Guard Member Area
  • Leadership
    • Directors/Staff
    • Student Leaders
    • Parent Association
  • New Members
  • Resources
  • Marching Band Registration