Clarence High School

Louis Vitello is presently in his twenty-seventh year of teaching at Clarence High School where he serves as the conductor of the Wind Ensemble, co-conductor of the Concert Band, and Chairman of the Clarence School District Music Department.  His responsibilities also include teaching lessons and AP Music Theory, advising the Drama Club, and directing the fall play and high school musical.

Mr. Vitello received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and his Master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University at Buffalo.  While pursuing his Master’s degree, he was a teaching assistant to the Director of Bands, which included serving as the Associate Conductor of the UB Wind Ensemble, University Symphonic Band, and co-director of the UB Pep Band.  In addition, he was a staff assistant conductor for the former Greater Buffalo Opera Company, was co-founder and director of the Western New York Youth Wind Ensemble, and has guest conducted the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra as well as all-county honor bands in the Western New York area.  His conducting teachers have included Sarah McKoin, Charles Peltz, Gary Burgess, Harold Farberman (Conductor’s Institute), and William Silvester.

Clarence Ensembles under Mr. Vitello’s direction, have performed at the New York State School Music Association Winter Conference (2022), American Concert Band Association Annual Conference (2018), the New York State Band Director’s Association Annual Symposium (2014 & 2010), presented a clinic on repertoire at the New York State School Music Association Winter Conference (2000), and at the NYSBDA Regional Workshop (2012); and has commissioned and/or premiered new works for wind band.  These pieces include Persis Parshall Vehar’s Pan American Overture (2001), Stephen Melillo’s 21: Won Way (2011), Michael Vertoske’s Madrid (2011), David Maslanka’s Hymn for World Peace (2015), Stephen Mellilo's Ark of the Covenant and In the Darkest Darkness (2018).  Furthermore, in 2019, Mr. Vitello received the Buffalo Philharmonic/Erie County Music Educators Association Award for Excellence in Music Education.

Mr. Vitello is a member of the Erie County Music Educators Association, Who’s Who Among American Teachers, New York State Band Directors Association, The Conductor’s Guild, College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, and is an honorary member of the Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity.