Youth can be found accomplishing remarkable things, often through school programs, right across Elgin County. Of course, that shouldn’t be a surprise, but it’s sometimes easy to forget what the agile minds and exuberance of the young can accomplish with a little nurturing and encouragement. One of the most delightful ways to encounter their talents is during live music or theatre performances. |
One teacher who is well known for fostering musical creativity over almost four decades and at as many schools in our county, has spent the past fifteen years of his career at Arthur Voaden Secondary School in St. Thomas. Tom Pietrangelo will retire at the end of June this year. Under his direction, the school’s Off-Broadway Singers are working hard on their year-end show, Goodbye, Italian Guy. It will be a fitting tribute to their teacher, the AVSS music program and to their accomplishments.
Photos from some past AVSS shows.
Tom’s own interest in music began at an early age – at four years old he was playing the piano in Amherstburg where he grew up. He says, “My parents were immigrants and they had little education but they encouraged their children to go to school, and music seemed to be my direction.” He headed off to Western University where he majored in Music Education, obtaining a background in a wide range of instruments. He gained experience with choral conducting with the university’s travelling choir, in bands and teaching jazz, before becoming a high school teacher. His career has taken him to Parkside, Central, West Elgin and finally, Arthur Voaden.
Those years have included many highlights. The one Tom mentions first is having seen thirty-five of his students pursue music in a wide gamut of careers which he has enthusiastically followed. He has led music trips throughout Canada and the States, had groups perform at Disney World, at the 1984 opening of the World Fair in New Orleans, and at Music Fest Canada national finals. AVSS groups went to New York for Broadway clinics three times – on the first trip they sang the American National anthem at Shea Stadium. Tom smiles, “It was cool to stand in a field in front of 50,000 people – they were impressed and a bit surprised with how well we sang their national anthem. It has been a lot of fun.”
It may be surprising to see young people put heart and soul into Broadway music as they do during their performances as the Off-Broadway Singers. However, Tom points out, “Younger people nowadays are more familiar with Broadway music. Maybe it’s partly due to the popularity of the Glee TV series. Kids listen to show music on YouTube – they never would have done that in the past.”
One can imagine Tom has some passionate views on what music can mean to students. He sums it up: “It teaches discipline. It teaches creativity. Out of that combination you get some very interesting things.”
How does he get diverse groups of young people working together? This would be a secret worth knowing. However, Tom says, “I have been asked that question before. The answer is, I don’t know.” He does add, “Whether it’s jazz, instrumental or a choral group, they have to feel safe, secure and respected, learn discipline, and see, throughout the entire experience, the final goal. With experience, they learn more and more.”
They also rehearse – a lot. For the year-end show, “We rehearse every day at lunch, Tuesday and Wednesday after school and closer to the show it gets more and more hectic every day. Early in April will be the first choreography day with a whole day of choreography for two or three numbers. Once they start dancing, they forget about the music, but it comes back easily because that came first.”
Those years have included many highlights. The one Tom mentions first is having seen thirty-five of his students pursue music in a wide gamut of careers which he has enthusiastically followed. He has led music trips throughout Canada and the States, had groups perform at Disney World, at the 1984 opening of the World Fair in New Orleans, and at Music Fest Canada national finals. AVSS groups went to New York for Broadway clinics three times – on the first trip they sang the American National anthem at Shea Stadium. Tom smiles, “It was cool to stand in a field in front of 50,000 people – they were impressed and a bit surprised with how well we sang their national anthem. It has been a lot of fun.”
It may be surprising to see young people put heart and soul into Broadway music as they do during their performances as the Off-Broadway Singers. However, Tom points out, “Younger people nowadays are more familiar with Broadway music. Maybe it’s partly due to the popularity of the Glee TV series. Kids listen to show music on YouTube – they never would have done that in the past.”
One can imagine Tom has some passionate views on what music can mean to students. He sums it up: “It teaches discipline. It teaches creativity. Out of that combination you get some very interesting things.”
How does he get diverse groups of young people working together? This would be a secret worth knowing. However, Tom says, “I have been asked that question before. The answer is, I don’t know.” He does add, “Whether it’s jazz, instrumental or a choral group, they have to feel safe, secure and respected, learn discipline, and see, throughout the entire experience, the final goal. With experience, they learn more and more.”
They also rehearse – a lot. For the year-end show, “We rehearse every day at lunch, Tuesday and Wednesday after school and closer to the show it gets more and more hectic every day. Early in April will be the first choreography day with a whole day of choreography for two or three numbers. Once they start dancing, they forget about the music, but it comes back easily because that came first.”
Classroom photos by Mark Girdauskas, Photos By MG
Seeing the Off-Broadway Singers for the first time, back in 2013, I was struck by the performers’ maturity, focus and cohesiveness. Tom says, “They take care of each other. Part of that is travelling – they learn to look out for each other. It’s like being in our own family.”
Looking back on his own career, Tom says he has to quote Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way.” That is a fortunate thing for his many students since, as he elaborates, “I put the kids first 100% of the time – that was my way of doing everything.” Several of those kids will shine and scintillate in June’s not-to-be-missed show, one which the whole community can support with pride.
“Goodbye, Italian Guy” under the direction of Tom Pietrangelo will feature numbers from several famous Broadway musicals including "Phantom of the Opera", "Ragtime", "Chicago" and "West Side Story", Thurs Jun 2nd, Fri Jun 3rd, Thurs Jun 9th and Fri Jun 10th at 7pm. Tickets are $15 - call AVSS at 519-631-3770 for advance tickets. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door. Find out more at
http://avss99.wix.com/avsschoirshow. You can help by buying tickets and bringing friends. You can also show your support by contributing to the choir’s fundraising efforts – income tax receipts for donations over $50 will be issued by TVDSB.
Looking back on his own career, Tom says he has to quote Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way.” That is a fortunate thing for his many students since, as he elaborates, “I put the kids first 100% of the time – that was my way of doing everything.” Several of those kids will shine and scintillate in June’s not-to-be-missed show, one which the whole community can support with pride.
“Goodbye, Italian Guy” under the direction of Tom Pietrangelo will feature numbers from several famous Broadway musicals including "Phantom of the Opera", "Ragtime", "Chicago" and "West Side Story", Thurs Jun 2nd, Fri Jun 3rd, Thurs Jun 9th and Fri Jun 10th at 7pm. Tickets are $15 - call AVSS at 519-631-3770 for advance tickets. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door. Find out more at
http://avss99.wix.com/avsschoirshow. You can help by buying tickets and bringing friends. You can also show your support by contributing to the choir’s fundraising efforts – income tax receipts for donations over $50 will be issued by TVDSB.