For the past few years, the High school band has been putting non-stop work and effort to make sure performances are the best they can be, practicing hard with each rehearsal as well as individuals taking time out of their days after school to practice, however, who is the one responsible for leading them? That would be Mr. Abate, the current Band Director here at AMHS.

Being the only Band director here, there are a bunch of responsibilities to cover regarding in-school events and performances, these include the Winter and Spring Concerts, as well as other events that take place outside of school hours, such as NYSSMA Majors, etc. All being set on due dates, there’s a lot that has to be done to prepare.

To start off, Mr. Abate was asked multiple questions so people can have an idea on who he is as a person as well as how long he’s been here in the Amityville District.

QUESTION: How long have you been in this district?
It is my 7th year in the school, and my 4th year up at the high school.

Now, Mr. Abate has been here for quite a bit, even if you may not have seen him or spoken to him, he’s been in the school teaching from PAMES, all the way to the AMHS today, along with working with multiple grades of musicians, and has learned and improved significantly since he first began.

He’s also been helping far more with backstage productions such as assemblies and other school/out-of-school events by working with sound, and making sure things are going the way they are supposed to.

QUESTION: From what school did you graduate from?
Berklee College of Music

Mr Abate is a graduate from Berklee College which is a college all the way in Massachusetts which specializes in Music and other things along that subject.

QUESTION: What made you want to become a teacher?
In many ways I would say that my career was predetermined by my surroundings (coming from family of teachers), but the true determining factor was the loss of my teacher and mentor J. Chris LaMarca. Upon his passing during my junior year here at A.M.H.S. I realized that I wanted to share my love for music with others just as he did for me. I live each and everyday trying to honor his legacy.

In a basic summary, his love and passion for the subject stemmed from a wide background of music, being from a family of musicians, however the thing that made him want to pursue this career and share his love for music was the passing of his teacher and mentor, using his influence to try and show others the love and compassion for music that he has, with years of experience from high school, he has become proficient in the subject and strives to help out students when they need it.

QUESTION: If you had any advice to give, what would it be?
Be kind, follow your heart, and always remember life is like jazz; it’s best when you improvise.

This piece of advice I believe is very good and crucial for people who do not know what to do in their lives yet, it gives them a reason to be experimental and curious, trying things and finding out stuff till they find something that works for them, while staying true to who they are, life is better when you improvise because it could help you do the unexpected and accomplish tasks you may not have been able to do before.

Mr. Abate does a lot for the school in terms of the Music Department and making sure things run well behind the scenes during school events. He brings a lot to the table and is a very reliable person who does this nicely and efficiently. His passion for the Music Arts and drive to make it the best it can be for performances should make him recognized for what he does.