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Christopher J. Vitale
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Gabriel Batiz
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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. |
