Full Text:

High School Selects A New Band Director

BY MICHELE HOGAN

Jim Dumas is full of enthusiasm for his new position as band director at

Newtown High School.

Bill Manfredonia, principal of Newtown High School, said Mr Dumas "has a real

dedication to teaching." Mr Manfredonia was also impressed with the new

director's tremendous knowledge of music, and his openness and sincerity.

The interviewing process included viewing video tapes of the finalists'

accomplishments and their performances.

Finalists also conducted the symphonic band.

Afterwards students in each band section gave comments to the student section

leader, who then gave their views of the finalists in action to the

interviewing committee.

Students and members of the interviewing committee were impressed with Mr

Dumas' evident love of working with high school students.

Mr Dumas understands the demands of the position, with one director to work

with 185 kids, and knows there will be lots of late nights spent working.

He said, "People don't get into teaching for money, or fame, but to work with

young people, and that's what I like doing. If that means two or three

evenings a week plus weekends, I'll do it."

Mr Dumas will need some evenings free to pursue his own interests, namely,

playing trumpet in local orchestras or jazz groups.

He said that as a teacher, he thinks it is important for him to stay in touch

with "what's it like to be on the other side of the conductor's baton."

He explained that by playing himself, he will understand what a student is

feeling when they might be struggling with a certain part.

Mr Dumas has broad expertise from jazz improvisation to music theory,

including concert band and symphonic band experience, practical experience

with each instrument, and experience with software packages for composing and

studying music such as "Finale."

Mr Dumas holds masters degrees in both music education and music performance

from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and a bachelor of music degree

from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.

After completing his education, Mr Dumas taught music for 2« years at Marcus

Whitman School in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. He is 27 years

old.