Ex-Edison School Band Director Inducted In NJ Hall Of Fame
EDISON, NJ — Andrew DeNicola, the former band director at J.P. Stevens High School, was recently inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
DeNicola, who died in May this year, was honored posthumously in the Educator of the Year category. The new category was introduced this year to inspire educators and families throughout the state.
He retired from Edison School District in 2023 after 50 long years of honing the talents of the district’s high school band.
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During the ceremony, musician David Rosenthal, a former student, presented DeNicola with the award posthumously.
“Andy used music to bring people together, to teach them the importance of teamwork, and to show them that music is a universal language that speaks to us all. Andy DeNicola, or Dean, as we all called him, was much more than just a music teacher. He was a mentor and a beacon of inspiration. Over the course of his career, he helped transform a school music program into a thriving community of young artists, always bringing out the best in his students by helping them find their own voices,” Rosenthal said.
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“His teaching was grounded in the idea that every student, no matter their background or experience, had something valuable to offer. He believed that every student had music within them, and he made it his mission to help them discover it,”
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Rosenthal said that DeNicola’s mentorship played a pivotal role in his decision to become a professional musician. Throughout his career, DeNicola remained a fixture in Rosenthal’s life with his support and friendship. Every time Rosenthal reached a musical milestone, whether it was landing his first big gig with Rainbow or tours with Cyndi Lauper, Robert Palmer, Enrique Iglesias, or Billy Joel, he always called DiNocla first to tell him the big news.
“Many of his students went on to become professional musicians, and many others became educators and leaders in their own communities. But perhaps the greatest testament of Andy’s influence is the count of students, regardless of their path in life, who now carry with them a deeper love for music. As we honor Andy DiNicola, we celebrate more than just a career ,” Rosenthal said.
“We celebrate a great individual whose life was dedicated to making the world a more harmonious place one student at a time. Andy not only taught us how to play music. He inspired us to feel it to live it and to share it.”
DiNicola joined Edison Public Schoolin 1973, as a 21-year-old. As a young music graduate from Montclair State University, DeNicola was glad to take up the job in his hometown.
In 2013, DeNicola was nominated as the top 10 finalists for the first GRAMMY Music Educator Award. In 2019, he was inducted into the American Bandmasters Association.
He retired after 50 glorious years in 2023. DiNicola died in May after battling heart disease for many years.
DeNicola was honored alongside two dozen “Garden State heroes” including Meryl Streep, Olympian Dick Button, Paul Rudd, Donald Katz, founder of Audible, Inc. , and Tim Howard, the former goalkeeper for the United States Men’s National Team.
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