After a very restful summer I’m back to work at Bayonne High School, and for the first time in almost twenty years I will not be directing our school’s marching band. I still teach at the high school, and I still conduct our Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble, but Marching Band is being run by one of our elementary school teachers and it is strictly an extra-curriculuar activity.

So far it’s ben amazing. I’m relaxed and focused on teaching – not football games and parades. The students are responding very well too. Our Symphonic Band enrollment is way up as students no longer have to participate in marching band in order to play in a BHS ensemble.

Last night our senior Symphonic Band members performed God Bless America with a small choir at our community 9/11 memorial which takes place at the Teardrop Memorial by Zurab Tsereteli located in Bayonne. With only one rehearsal and only a few students performing they performed very well.

I’m looking forward to this year and hoping my new position will allow me more focus on my Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensembles.