District Band Info

Hey, I hope you had a good time at Bellefonte. Thanks for being a part of it all. Congratulations to the students who are advancing to regional's in a few weeks, look me up and say Hi (Or Howdy if you want).

And to all my jazz buddies, see you in Southern Huntingdon on Valentine's Day. I like double stuffed Oreos if anyone wants to buy me a present.

John W. Villella
B.S., M.M., West Chester University;
Ed.D., Widener University
Interim Associate Dean - School of Music
Professor — Band

I am a graduate of West Chester University and when I was asked to return as a faculty member I was overjoyed. The school has a tradition of excellence and I look forward to carrying out that tradition everyday and in every way. Our students are bright and ambitious. Observing aspiring musicians excelling in performance and future teachers mastering the techniques and communication skills to practice their craft is my personal inspiration.

John Villella is currently the director of the wind ensemble and co-director of the marching band. He has conducted the symphonic and concert bands in previous years. In addition, he was a supervisor of student teachers and professor of instrumental techniques and materials courses for the music education department.

Dr. Villella is the President of Vivace Productions, Inc., the national leader of summer camps, including Band Leadership Training and the Marching band and Band Front Workshops. He frequently serves as a guest conductor, adjudicator, guest lecturer, and director of music festivals in the United States, Canada and Europe. His professional affiliations include membership in the National Band Directors Association, College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National and State organizations, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Tau Beta Sigma.

From the Northeast: Take Interstate 80 West to Exit 161 (old Exit 24) BELLEFONTE. Follow the signs toward Bellefonte on US Route 220 South (PA Route 26 South). After approximately 2 miles, take the first exit for PA Route 550 South toward Bellefonte. Turn right onto Route 550 towards Bellefonte. Continue for approximately 1 mile. A small shopping center and Burger King will be on your right. Bellefonte Area High School will be on your left.

From the South: Take Route 322 West to Potters Mills. Follow Route 144 North to Pleasant Gap. Turn right at the light in Pleasant Gap (Uni-Mart will be on your left) and follow Route 26 east for approximately 2 miles. Turn left onto Route 220 North (To Interstate 80). Take the first exit for Route 550 towards Bellefonte and Zion. Turn right onto Route 550 towards Bellefonte. Continue for approximately 1 mile. A small shopping center and Burger King will be on your right. Bellefonte Area High School will be on your left.

From the West: Take Interstate 80 East to Exit 161 (old Exit 24) BELLEFONTE. Follow the signs toward Bellefonte on US Route 220 South (PA Route 26 South). After approximately 2 miles, take the first exit for PA Route 550 South toward Bellefonte. Turn right onto Route 550 towards Bellefonte. Continue for approximately 1 mile. A small shopping center and Burger King will be on your right. Bellefonte Area High School will be on your left.

From the Southwest: Follow US Route 220 North towards State College. You will come to a large “Y”. Take the left part of the “Y”, continuing on US Route 220 North, To Interstate 80 towards BELLEFONTE. Travel approximately 10 miles on Route 220 North. You will pass Exit #76 Dale Summit. DO NOT TAKE THE FIRST TWO BELLEFONTE EXITS THAT YOU SEE (Exits 78 A or B, Route 150) after Dale Summit. You will pass two more exits (#80 Harrison Road, #81 Pleasant Gap). Take the Bellefonte/Zion exit for Route 550 towards Bellefonte and Zion at mile post 83. Turn right onto Route 550 towards Bellefonte. Continue for approximately 1 mile. A small shopping center and Burger King will be on your right. Bellefonte Area High School will be on your left.

Thursday Jan 29
8:30 - 9:00 – registration and arrival at school
9:00 – 12:00 – meet guest conductor, and rehearsal on stage, percussion auditions in the band room
12:00-12:45 – lunch – assignment of percussion parts
1:00 – 4:30 - rehearsal on stage (breaks at the convenience of the conductor) small group auditions (less than 6 in a section; eg. oboes, alto clarinets) in the practice rooms
4:30 – 6:00 - dinner in the cafeteria, break in the auditorium, completion of large group (more than 8, eg. flutes, clarinets) auditions in the classrooms
6:15 – 9:00 - rehearsal on stage (breaks at the convenience of the conductor)
9:00 – leave with host families

Friday Jan 30
7:30-8:00 - arrive at school
8:15 – 12:00 – seating of chairs, rehearsal on stage
12:00 -12:45 - lunch
1:00 – 5:00 - rehearsal on stage (breaks at the convenience of the conductor)
5:00 - 5:45 – short exercise break, clean up auditorium
6:00 – 7:00 open rehearsal run through of concert for parents and students
7:00 - 9:00 – country Bar-B-Que and Hoedown complete with square dancing
9:00 – leave with host families

Saturday Jan 31
8:00 – 8:15 – arrive at school
8:30 – 10:00 - rehearsal onstage
10:00 – 10:30 - move all equipment and bags to staging rooms, change into uniforms
10:45 - pictures on stage
11:00 – 12:00 – Concert

The concert will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday January 31st, 2009 in the Bellefonte Area High School Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the door. CD recordings and photos can be ordered in the lobby before and after the concert. No personal audio or video recordings are allowed due to copyright laws.