Vicchiarello Describes the Benefits of Music Education

From Music Theory classes, to the Marching Band, to zero period Orchestra, the various options that the Nutley Music Department offers to students at the high school is vast and unique. Whether a student wants to play an instrument, learn music theory, study popular music throughout the decades, or just perform with flags waving in their hands, the Music Department provides.

Fine & Performing Arts Supervisor Vincent J. Vicchiariello is one of the masterminds behind what gives students an opportunity to shine bright. “The thing that is important is advocating for our programs, students and teachers,” Vicchiariello said.

In addition to supporting student interest, the Music Department also sponsors a number of professional competitions and championships. Vicchiariello said, “We have had groups winning state and national championships, students receiving honors in region and area ensembles, as well as state recognition. We’ve even had [some] be the recipient of the New Jersey Governors’ Award.” The Music Department overwhelmingly supports and impacts the artistic future of Nutley music students on their journey to score big here. “We always demand the best, but everybody’s best is different,” Vicchiarello added.

The Department also occasionally gives students the opportunity to enjoy field trips. “Last year…we had a couple different [trips]; our indoor percussion group, which is one of our extra-curricular groups, travelled to Dayton, Ohio for the WGI championships…and the Choir did a trip to Austria.” 

This year, however, the Music Department plans to take almost the core of the Music Department to Los Angeles, California on March 25th. “We’re going to LA with 110 Orchestra, Band, and Choir students; it’s a six-day trip which goes into the Spring Break.”

These trips provide a break to students to relax from all of their hard work throughout the year and provide an educational experience also. Students learn about the location’s history and demonstrate teamwork competing in the competitions, even learning to use different technology within the music circle. Vicchiariello elaborates, “We will be doing a behind-the-scenes workshop at Disneyland with a Disney musician they provide, we read the music, we work on it with the conductor and then they sync it up with the movie, within the Disney movie.” Basically, this year, NHS students will get the chance to star within a Disney film’s soundtrack in their own way, while learning the behind-the-scenes work of such a process.

With that, Vicchiarello encourages students not already in any Music class or activities to join. Learning about music, or how to play an instrument or read music, are extremely valuable and stressless educational experiences. Vicchiarello compares it to learning a new language, “It’s like learning a language right? So the older you get, the harder you have to work out doing something new. Music takes a lot of work, and a lot of time.”

Learning an instrument isn’t hard with hard work, dedication, and discipline. “It takes a lot of self-discipline in regards to learning on their own as well as working with a teacher…it is absolutely doable for anybody; anybody can do anything they set their mind to…” Vicchiariello said. Most importantly, Vicchariello noted how welcoming the community is within the Music Department, “...there is a community, a spot, for everybody here, everybody willing to put the work in.”

In addition, with plenty of courses that the Music Department has to offer, nearly every student is left satisfied with the options they are given. Below are the options that the Music Department offers to Nutley Music students:

• (Zero Period) Orchestra
• Concert Band
• Wind Esembele Honors
• Treble Choir
• Concert Choir
• Survey of Popular Music
• Jazz Lab
• Music Theory (I and II)

The Music Department also offers other activities outside of the regular school day, such as:

• Chamber Strings
• Men’s Choir
• Jazz Ensemble
• Indoor Percussion
• Winter Guard
• Marching Band
• Musical Theatre

Vicchiarello is proud of the music students that make the Music Department possible: “It’s important that students don’t get down on themselves, just because one student may not be able to do what another one does, [they are both] instilling that standard of excellence and that high expectation [within the Department]. . .” Vicchiarello also acknowledges the faculty and staff that make it possible, “...and I know that all the music staff and faculty [support] each other in some way, and I hope that I’m able to support them and do that for them as well…”

With limitless rewards and opportunities, the future of the Nutley Music Department looks bright. “The future for the Music Program I believe is a positive one; of course there are challenges like anything…my hope is that it continues to grow, and it continues to build…” Vicchiariello said, “...I do think it’s bright. I do think it’s positive. Our students are phenomenal in music, they’re resilient, they’re resourceful, they’re definitely supportive of one another, and they also very very adamant about the way they feel about something…I think with a strong student body with a supportive community and parent organization, as well as the support from Nutley Public Schools, the Music Program will hopefully continue to thrive.”