The American Legion Band of the Tonawandas has just won the American Legion Band Competition again, this time in Louisville, KY!
Congratulations Chi Chapter Members Matthew Cool, Marni Conte, and Michael Conte!! Your musicianship, dedication to your craft, and reverence for American music truly exemplify all that Phi Beta Mu stands for. We’re so proud of you, and to have you as part of our organization!
Mr. Nicholas Soldani has been awarded the 2026 Phi Beta Mu International Band Masters Fraternity, Chi Chapter Midwest Clinic Scholarship. This Scholarship is awarded to a New York State Band Director’s with less than ten years’ experience and a strong direction in his devotion to teaching music education. This scholarship will fund his registration to the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago this December. Nick is the first recipient of the newly developed Chi Chapter Midwest Scholarship. We wish Mr. Soldani the best and congratulate him. We know he is going to make the most of this scholarship and bring back amazing new ideas to implement with his students.
Phil Pandori is the band teacher in the Niskayuna Central School District and is a Phi Beta Mu member (Chi Chapter) In February, he was modified that he was one of ten finalists in the Capital Region for the Barry Manilow Music Teacher Award and recently was notified that he is the winner. His prize is $10,000 — half for him personally, and half to buy new instruments for students, as well as 10 tickets to the Barry Manilow Concert. Way to go, Phil!!
Sister Beth Fabrizio was busy at The Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra and Music Conference, presenting master techniques on the clarinet, along with saxophone expert Elizabeth Rosinbum
Recently, Chi Chapter Brother Donald Carducci spent the day at the Silver Creek Schools in Western New York. He was working with his former student, Marc Bridon. Don was serving as a mentor and fulfilling our Chapter’s goal to provide highly effective professional development opportunities for band directors at all levels. Don gave advice on Mr. Bridon’s lesson groups, made many suggestions, fixed woodwind instruments, worked with a few students one-on-one to address specific performance issues, and observed band rehearsals. Thanks Don for your service to our organizaion and to the future music educators of New York.
Mary Kay Ortolano, Helen Ihasz, and Shawn Halmquist presented as a part of a PD Day at Greece Central Schools in Rochester in March. Their clinics were well received and fabulously delivered. Than you to Nancy Russo and President Beth Fabrizio for putting the pieces together to make this happen as a part of our Chi Chapter initiative to mentor and support fellow music teachers.
Carla Newsome is the First Ever recipient of the Chi Chapter Midwest Scholarship. Carla is a 4-6 Clarinet Instrumental Music Teacher at The Seymour Smith Intermediate Learning Center Stissing at Mountain Junior/Senior High School in Pine Planes, New York . Carla is the first recipient of the Chi Chapter Midwest Scholarship. We wish Carla the best and we know she is going to make the most of this scholarhsip!
Congratulations to Chi Chapter member Helen Ihasz. On December 19th, Helen presented her clinic, “Paying It Forward: Mentoring Student Teachers” at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. During her tenure at Westfield, Helen hosted 51 student teachers . The clinic was a great success and all attendees benefited from the experience of this master teacher.
Brother Scott Bean and the Orchard Park High School Bands will host the Erie County Wind Ensemble for the Orchard Park Festival of Bands on January 31st, 2025 @ 7:00. This promises to be an enriching concert. We hope you will consider coming out.
Chi Chapter has been opening up their Mentor opportunities in New York State with visits to Durand Eastman Intermediate schools and Greece Central School District and their yearly Music Education Professional Development.
Shawn Halquist, Nancy Russo and Gary Stith have been our fabulous presenters for these events, supporting students and staff in their efforts and development of musical skills.
Thanks to Nancy Russo and her committee, these will be ongoing events in New York State for all interested music educators and Administrators.
