Clarence H.S. Band Program
The Clarence High School Band Program was established prior to 1946 at Parker High School. Starting in 1947, the District began the development of one of the finest educational music programs in Western New York.
In 1950, while Eugene Small was principal, the band continued to grow in size and the standard of quality was elevated. Former instrumental faculty members such as Reuel Mavis, George Holden, and Dr. Gaylord Farwell took great pride in the increasing ability of the student musicians to create a positive attitude, an interest in others, a dedication to worthy ideals, and noble character. These principles have become the cornerstone of the Clarence Band tradition.
National recognition was brought to the instrumental music program when Norbert J. Buskey became director of the Clarence High School Band in 1962. Mr. Buskey established the present Wind Ensemble, began the Annual Kleinhans Concert, commissioned composers for new works, and brought guest artists such as Warren Benson, Carl “Doc” Severenson, Harvey Phillips, Vaclav Nelhybel, Lionel Hampton, Clarke Terry, and Roy Burns to share their talents. Under his direction, the band performed numerous times at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Conference, the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and the Mid-West Band Clinic.
From 1969 to 1971, the direction of the high school band was under the baton of Gary Good and Eugene Hale. The years of 1970 and 1971 saw the addition of Michael Ried and Ronald Sutherland to the band program. Under their direction, the band forged new directions for the next 25 years. Mr. Ried brought notoriety to the previously understated Symphonic Band while Mr. Sutherland continued to further build the reputation of the Wind Ensemble. They continued to bring an impressive array of guest artists to Clarence, their ensembles have been honored and have performed at various national and international professional conferences, and they established the biennial tours to major cities in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
In 1996, William Eicher and Louis Vitello took over direction of the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. In 1997, the Concert Band was added to the program under the direction of Thomas Stroth.
The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band have had the honor of performing at several national and state clinics. In 2003 the Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago and has been invited to perform again in 2009.
The Clarence Central School Bands have long enjoyed a national reputation for musical excellence and worthy educational achievements. Because of guest appearances at music conferences and festivals, NYSSMA ratings, local concerts, national and international tours, recordings; as well as the numerous Clarence students who appear at county, regional, state music festivals; conductors, audiences, music educators, and students from other schools alike, have come to expect exceptionally high levels of musical performance and personal behavior from the Clarence Bands and their members.
It is the purpose of the music department to maintain this worthy tradition while increasing the musical sensitivity and knowledge of our band members and stimulating character growth through cooperative effort, self-discipline, responsibility, patience, attention to detail, and the desire for perfection. We believe each student, as a direct result of his/her full participation in the Clarence Music Program, will be a lifelong independent comprehensive musician.
Louis Vitello
Louis Vitello is presently in his fourteenth year of teaching at Clarence High School where he serves as the conductor of the Symphonic Band. His responsibilities also include teaching lessons, conducting the brass choir, advising the drama club, as well as being the director for the high school musical. He received his Bachelors degree in Music Education and his Masters degree in Instrumental Conducting from The University at Buffalo. While pursuing his Masters degree, Mr. Vitello was a teaching assistant to the Director of Bands, which included serving as the Associate Conductor of the UB Wind Ensemble, University Symphonic Band, and co-director of the UB Pep Band. His conducting teachers have included Sarah McKoin, Charles Peltz, Gary Burgess, Harold Farberman (Conductors Institute), and William Silvester.
In addition to his responsibilities at Clarence High School, he was the Co-founder and Conductor of the Western New York Youth Wind Ensemble, and was the Company Assistant Conductor for the former Greater Buffalo Opera Company. He has also worked with the UB Department of Theater and Dance as the Musical Director for Chicago - The Musical and as the Assistant Musical Director for The Three Penny Opera and Oklahoma. Mr. Vitello was the Conductor of the 2003 ECMEA Jr. High North All-County Band, a clinician at the 2000 NYSSMA Winter Convention, and has guest conducted the Cattaragus County All-County High School Band.
In addition to his teaching duties in the Clarence School District, Mr. Vitello is the team leader of the Clarence High School School Improvement Team and is on the men’s soccer coaching staff for the NCAA Division III Medaille College Mavericks.
Mr. Vitello is a member of the Erie County Music Educators Association, Who’s Who Among American Teachers, New York State School Music Association, New York State Band Directors Association, Music Educators National Conference, The Conductor’s Guild, College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, and is an honorary member of the Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity.
Clinic: Where to Find the Good Stuff (Elementary to High School)
Last reviewed: 1/19/2010