Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda UFSD
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Aguglia Serving as Guest Conductor for Cheektowaga Festival
Kenmore East band instructor Phil Aguglia is serving as a guest conductor for the Cheektowaga Band Festival on Thursday, February 16th. The Festival will feature four different high school bands from the Cheektowaga area: Cheektowaga Central, Maryvale, Cleveland Hill, and John F. Kennedy.
Aguglia spent Thursday morning and afternoon visiting all four high school bands and helping them rehearse for the big night. He's no stranger to being a guest conductor, having countless opportunities not just in Western New York but across the state and country.
"I love the energy I get from kids who aren't familiar with me. They get so excited about what's going on when I'm up there and I love seeing their faces and their reactions to what I'm teaching," Aguglia said. "I recently spent time with the Orchard Park band and afterward, I had a few kids come up and tell me how much I inspired them to continue with music. It's really cool to see how much I can motivate them."
Mr. Aguglia has initiated many different collaborations with other high schools in WNY to promote music education and introduce students to new learning opportunities. He also regularly facilitates visits and guest artist programs with prominent musicians and composers from across the country. Most recently, Mr. Aguglia was in the news after being named a top-ten finalist for the Grammy Music Educator of the Year Award.