Huntingdon College President J. Cameron West announced that Mr. Anthony Vittore, who has most recently served as director of bands for Elmore County High School, has been hired to serve as director of Huntingdon College Bands.
“Mr. Vittore has built a reputation for excellence in teaching, sound musicianship, and steady band leadership during his long tenure at Elmore County High School,” said President West. “He is respected and trusted as a clinician and high school honor band director. Most importantly, he is known for the level of trust he fosters and for the intelligent, caring atmosphere he creates for students—qualities that are consistent with the values of Huntingdon College, both in the classroom and in co-curricular programs.”
“I feel beyond humbled to lead a group of talented musicians who love music so much they are continuing their passion beyond high school,” said Mr. Vittore. “I look forward to seeing the Huntingdon Band Program grow and continue to cement their legacy by supporting our athletes and students on and off the field.”
A native of Panama City, Florida, Mr. Vittore earned his bachelor’s degree in music education and his master’s degree in conducting from Troy University. He has served as director of bands at Elmore County High School for more than twenty years. During his tenure at ECHS he has been selected as Teacher of the Year for both the school and for Elmore County. He has also served as fine arts supervisor for the Elmore County School System. The ECHS marching band, The Maroon Machine, has won numerous awards under his leadership, from Grand Champion to Most Entertaining. The ECHS symphonic band has received superior ratings at MPA, and the jazz band has performed at various events inside and outside the community. Mr. Vittore has served as conductor for honor bands throughout Alabama, including for the middle school and high school Southeastern United States (SEUS) honor band clinics, and has served as the band clinician for Troy University’s summer band camp for ten years. In the community, he has directed the Wetumpka Pops community band for ten years. Mr. Vittore was a quarterfinalist for the 2020 Recording Academy and Grammy Museum Music Educator Award. He is a member of the SEUS board at Troy University, Phi Kappa Phi honors fraternity, and Kappa Kappa Psi, and an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma and Phi Mu Alpha.
“Music runs in my veins, it drives me,” said Mr. Vittore. “My students’ success is my number one priority, hands down. I will work countless hours to make sure the students succeed. Students truly make the band what it is. I look forward to working closely with [band members] as we design shows and performances, continue the traditions set in place, and create new traditions together. I can’t wait to make music with these amazing musicians!”
Mr. Vittore assumes the role previously held by Mr. Brandon Howard, who announced earlier this month that he will be stepping down to pursue another professional opportunity. Upon learning of Mr. Vittore’s appointment, Mr. Howard said, “I know Anthony Vittore’s work well and respect his style and his long tradition of success at Elmore County High School. I think he is an excellent choice to step into the leadership of Huntingdon Bands and I look forward to working with him through the transition.”
Huntingdon’s band program includes the Marching Scarlet and Grey marching band, Huntingdon Winds concert band, Huntingdon Jazz, BallHawks Pep Band, and the Percussion Studio and Percussion Team. The bands welcome student musicians of any major. Instruments and uniforms are provided. The College’s music program offers a Bachelor of Arts in music and in P–12 music education. Other music performing groups include the Concert Choir, the Glee Club, the Campus Ministries Worship Leadership Team, and various choral and instrumental ensembles.
Huntingdon College is a coeducational residential liberal arts college of the United Methodist Church offering more than thirty undergraduate programs of study, an Honors Program, Presidential Fellows Program, Kingswood Initiative, choral and instrumental music programs, dance and cheer teams, student organizations including Greek life and Campus Ministries, 21 NCAA-Division III athletic teams, and coed ESports, new for fall 2023. The College also offers the Master of Athletic Training.
