Hollidaysburg graduate David Wirtz performs around the world with the Brooklyn Wind Symphony. Provided photo
Former Hollidaysburg Area High School trumpeter David Wirtz has taken his musical talents to new heights in New York City, coaching middle school students and performing around the world with the Brooklyn Wind Symphony.
What he enjoys most is the cultural diversity of the students at both of the inner-city schools he has taught at since moving four years ago. Wirtz grew up and attended predominantly white schools, including Messiah College in Mechanicsburg.
“I love learning so much from my students,” he said. “I was caught off guard. I’m white and I’m a minority here. I learned that the world is much more than the culture and traditions I grew up in. That’s why I’m a better person.” You can become human.”
He first worked at the Brooklyn Liberal Arts Institute, where he won a grant and brought Emmy Award-winning composer Jasmine Ariel Burns to the school. She worked with her students for one semester, and together they composed and debuted an original piece.
“I wanted to show them that there’s diversity in music. Most of the composers in bands are white men, and there’s not a lot of diversity in music. We’re doing what she’s doing. “I wanted them to see that,” he said.
Hollidaysburg Area graduate David Wirtz credits Hollidaysburg band director Scott Sheehan and Messiah College trumpet professor William Stowman as major influences on his musical career. Provided photo
Wirtz currently teaches at Brooklyn’s All City Leadership Secondary School, known for its college preparation programs for underrepresented students.
One of the highlights of my first year as a teacher was taking my beginning band students to the New York Music Festival, where they won third place out of 27 contestants.
He also organized the first modern band club as an extracurricular activity. Students play instruments in rock bands and “play all genres of music and write their own music and songs. It’s very student-driven,” Wirtz said.
Another highlight for Wirtz was when the all-volunteer Brooklyn Wind Ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall last June.
“The venue is where we play,” Wirtz said. “It brought a lot of my experiences in music full circle. It was a dream come true.”
During the pre-concert sound check, he was seated on stage, but recalled being so absorbed in the importance of the moment that he missed his entrance.
“I was just in awe. I thought, ‘If I’m here on this stage, instead of me looking at the audience, people will be looking at me.’ Carnegie Hall is one of those places where you say, “We made it.” We’ve done that to that degree, and it’s paid off a little bit, and we’re doing the right thing and we’re on the right track. ”
The fact that some of his students had the opportunity to see him perform added to this momentous occasion.
“It was really cool. It opened my eyes to the fact that you don’t just have to be a school teacher, you can also be a teacher for students in the community and outside of school,” Wirtz said. “That solidified my position as a teacher…I could teach them in a different way and tell them that you can perform and that you can enjoy performing for people. It shows that.
It’s a lesson he learned from Scott Sheehan, Hollidaysburg’s band director and head of music. Sheehan recalls Wirtz as “a great leader who worked extremely hard.” We are so proud of him for having such a passion for mentoring inner-city students. He wants to give back. ”
Sheehan calls Wirtz “a great example of someone making the world a better place through music.”
Central Cumbria band director Michelle Cox said Wirtz’s best qualities were “his connections with others, his sense of humour, his creativity and empathy, and his focus on growth both professionally and personally.” ”
For the past nine years, Wirtz has held various roles at Band Camp, which is held each August.
Wirtz works in many roles, including marching, teaching drills, organizing the brass section, large group rehearsals, and even helping plan and participate in student activities to increase the level of fun.
“He is always willing to help when needed, whether it’s with a student one-on-one or with the whole group,” Kakus said.
His musical skills improved, as did his teaching methods and practices. “But most important is his passion for sharing music with others. I’m so proud of his decision to move to New York City and teach, and I’m so proud of his decision to move to New York City and teach, and the way he taught his students in New York City. “I know I’m empowering people to be just as passionate about music as I am,” she said.
Sheehan saw Wirtz perform with the Brooklyn Wind Symphony, known as BKWS, at a music conference in Chicago last year. “They’re really great. His whole career as a teacher and musician is great. He’s found his niche and his passion.”
Wirtz cites Sheehan and Messiah College trumpet professor William Stowman as major influences. Stowman “taught me that anyone can make music with the right attitude. People who want to do music should have the opportunity to do it,” Wirtz explains, adding, “He taught me to relax. “Take a deep breath and make a beautiful sound,” he said. I always carry it with me. ”
In addition to performing with Brooklyn ensembles, Wirtz represents the Brooklyn North area monthly as a music educator at the Carnegie Hall Music Educators Workshop and is a guest clinician with the All City Orchestra. He also serves as a brass judge for the New York State School Music Educators Association, judging festivals throughout New York State. He also plays trumpet in various ensembles throughout New York City and has performed with the World Symphonic Band and Ensemble Association.
In the future, Mr. Wirtz will serve as assistant symphonic band chair for the New York City High School Honors Music Festival, a competitive event that provides students the opportunity to perform high-level repertoire with world-renowned conductors. I’m looking forward to it.
Personally, Wirtz and his partner John Melone enjoy living in the city. They live on a fourth floor walk in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood.
Because you have to climb five flights of stairs, “it’s a great workout and great for your calves,” Wirtz said.
Ms. Melone, a Cambria County native, is a middle school choir teacher in Queens. The two met at Messiah. Wirtz came to New York City first, followed by Melone.
“I changed his mind about this city and now he loves it,” Wirtz said, adding that they’ve grown accustomed to local eateries like Mayfield’s, Clay Cup, and Green Bean. I realize I miss coffee shops. And especially they miss their sheets.
“That was the first thing that came to mind when I got home,” he said. Then, when I return home, I load up the Sheetz and stuff it into the freezer in my apartment.
“Now I don’t want to eat mac and cheese from the sheets,” he says wistfully, speaking to the Mirror over the phone.
He discovered that his neighborhood barber shop, coffee shop, and grocery store were all on the same block. There they learn his name and form a relationship.
“My neighborhood is very family-oriented. When I first moved here, I thought, ‘No one is going to know or remember me.’ I thought I would be a small fish in a big big pond. But it’s really interesting how once you live in a neighborhood for a while, it becomes like a little Hollidaysburg. ”
Living in a city also has additional benefits, such as the ability to easily travel anywhere in the world. As a member of the Brooklyn Wind Ensemble, he has traveled the world, with highlights being Tokyo, Japan, and Seoul, South Korea.
“It was life-changing to experience first-hand an Asian culture that emphasizes kindness and making sure everyone is taken care of,” Wirtz said.
Wirtz says he’s learned a lot, whether it’s from his students or through his travels around the world. “The world is more than just the culture and traditions I grew up in. Learning about all the cultures around the world makes me a better person, makes me more understanding, and helps me connect better with people in general.” I feel that it has become.”
Mirror Staff writer Patt Keith can be reached at 814-949-7030.
welts file
Name: David Wirtz
Age: 28 years old
Family: Partner, John Melone; parents, Denton and Beverly Wirtz of Hollidaysburg;
Education: Hollidaysburg Regional High School, Class of 2015. in Preschool-12 Music Education from Messiah College (Mechanicsburg). Currently pursuing a master’s degree at Bard College’s Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Occupation: I teach music in grades 6-12 at All City Leadership Secondary School in Brooklyn. Previously taught band at Brooklyn Liberal Arts Institute
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