Mr. Jorge A. Benitez has been the Director of Bands at Havelock High School, in Havelock NC, since 1994. He currently directs approximately 250 students per year, in many different ensembles including Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Indoor guard and Indoor percussion. Mr. Benitez is a graduate from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Music in ’94 (magna cum laude) and a Master of Music Education ’99. In 2003, Mr. Benitez received his National Board Certification.
Mr. Benitez has served in the North Carolina Army National Guard for ten years. His experiences in the military led him to the deserts of Saudi Arabia during operation Desert Shield/Storm. After 7 years as a military policeman with 213th Military Police Company, he then completed his career with 440th Army National Guard Band. He has participated at the Eastern District Concert Festival every year, with multiple bands per year and has consistently received Superior and Excellent ratings. He has also served as an adjudicator for both concert and marching festivals in his state of North Carolina.
Mr. Benitez is a dedicated and committed teacher with a strong desire to teach music to young students. “Music has the ability to transform life’s emotions. The notes on the page are just the beginning. Music is so much more. Teaching music makes life very fulfilling, it’s a great way to live your life.”
Mr. Benitez has a wonderful wife, Lyn Benitez, who works with the instrumental program providing any type of visual design needed; Marching Band show design, Colorguard and Indoor guard. They also have 3 beautiful children; Analise, Mariela and Braedon.
Awards:
· Time Warner cable’s “Star teacher”
· Educator of Distinction by in The National Society of High School Scholars
· 2000 “Excellence in Teaching” award
· 2007 “I Love Havelock Award” presented by the Havelock Chamber
· 2008 Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year (Local Area)
Professional organizations and positions:
· Music Educators Nation Conference
· North Carolina Bandmasters Association – Eastern District
o High School Contest Chairperson 2003 - current
o President –Elect 2005-2007
o President 2007- current
Guest conducted:
· 2001 Wayne County Public Schools Band Festival
· 2003 North Carolina Eastern District 9-10 Concert Band
· 2005 Onslow All County High School Honors Band
· 2006 Beaufort All-County High School Honors Band
· 2007 Edgecombe All-County High School Band
· 2008 Pitt All County High School Band
Christopher Elbing is from Greenville, NC where he graduated from D.H. Conley High School. In 2009 he graduated with honors from East Carolina University with a B.M. in Music Education. While at ECU, he had the opportunity to work as principal horn player in all of the major performing ensembles.
Although originally born in Germany, Mr. Elbing considers himself an active native of eastern North Carolina, having worked with various marching bands in the eastern region, including Jacksonville High School and Southwest High School and student teaching at Hunters Creek Middle School and White Oak High School in Jacksonville. He has also worked for the Eastern Music Festival, in which he helped overlook and monitor over 190 talented student musicians from all over the world.
Mr. Elbing is a member of the National Association of Music Education, the North Carolina Music Educators Association, and the North Carolina Bandmasters Association. Mr. Elbing believes that through music, individual character is developed to its highest potential.
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