Each year at JPT has had its own identity, its own personality, its own stories.  Click on a year to learn more about the accomplishments of that edition of the Band & Orchestra, as well as see reminiscences, pictures, student achievements, and an alumni database for that year.  Some of the years have no information at this time.  To contribute to your years in the program by sending in your memories, stories, pictures, or any other bits of information, please email the webmaster.
 
 

    J.P. Taravella has enjoyed a short but illustrious existence. It has grown from a small group of dedicated students to a respected and internationally known program that provides music education to 250+ students every year, plus the school community at large. The JPT Band & Orchestra program has been recognized for its incredible musicianship with Superior ratings, 1st place trophies, letters of commendation, and the praise and thanks of an entire community. The JPT Marching Trojans have received Superior ratings every year since the school opened in 1981, and have placed first at numerous marching contests both in and out of the State of Florida. The Wind Orchestra has received Superior ratings at State Assessment each year since 1993. The Wind Symphony has consistently qualified for State Assessment by achieving Superior ratings at the District level every year since 1990, save one. The Jazz Band has consistently received Superior ratings at District and State Assessments, and the Orchestra has received Superior ratings at both the State and District levels. The JPT Winter Guard has won numerous SFWGA and WGI regionals and was at one time a Silver medallist in Scholastic A and a Bronze medallist in Scholastic Open. They were also a top 15 color guard at the WGI National Championships as a Scholastic World Class group for several years. J. P. Taravella High School was recognized as a Grammy Signature School for excellence in music education during the 2002-03 school year.

    The JPT Band and Orchestra Program has traveled overseas for tours of the European continent, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France (1997), a French concert tour in 1998, and an Italian-German concert tour in 2000. The Wind Orchestra was featured in a Video Magazine published by the Brain Music Company of Japan in 1999, showing their preparation and performance at the FBA State Band Evaluation. In January of 2005, the Wind Orchestra was again featured in a DVD video published by Brain Music showing the benefits of the Harmony Director keyboard. The Marching Band performed in the 2005 London New Years Day Parade and on January 4, 2006, the Wind Orchestra will perform on the President's Concert at the Florida Music Educators Association annual clinic-conference. These opportunities provide our students with a more balanced world view and an opportunity to experience other cultures and societies, as well as share our music with new audiences.

    J.P. Taravella High School was officially opened for the 1981-1982 school year. In that inaugural year, the band director was William McGhee. Mr. McGhee remained until 1984, after which he left the program and handed the reins to Mr. Tom Chaffin. Under Mr. Chaffin's leadership, the band program received many honors and awards and reached new levels of success, including the honor of grand champion at the 1986 and 1988 Florida Tournament of Bands in St Petersburg, Florida. Mr Chaffin was joined by Kevin Phillips during the 1985-1986 school year. Mr. Phillips' specialty was jazz, and the JPT Jazz Bands quickly became some of the finest in the state. After the 1988-1989 school year, Tom Chaffin left Taravella to pursue a teaching opportunity in Kentucky, leaving the program in the hands of Mr. Neil Jenkins, who had already been in charge of the program at Miramar High School (Miramar, Florida) for 8 years. Kevin Phillips left after the 1989-1990 school year, and was replaced by Mr. Dennis Dunayer. Mr. Dunayer (deceased Nov. 2003) left the following year, and was replaced by Mr. Larry Shane, a former student of Mr. Jenkins' and a graduate of the University of Miami. Mr. Shane left Taravella after the 1991-92 school year, and is currently the band director at John I. Leonard High School in Palm Beach County. Former Nova High School director Mark Humphreys joined Jenkins at JPT in 1993-94. Mr. Humphreys brought a high level of expertise and experience to the JPT Band Program and was instrumental in arranging tours of Europe by the JPT Band in 1997, 1998, and 2000. Also assisting the band program, first as percussion instructor, then as essentially a third band director, was Mr. Michael Garasi. Both Mr. Garasi and Mr Humphreys left after the 1999-2000 school year. Replacing Mr Humphreys was Mr. Nikk Pilato. Mr. Pilato is also one of Mr. Jenkins' former students, attending Miramar from 1986-1989, and then Taravella from 1989 to 1990. In addition to Band, Mr. Pilato was also the Orchestra Director, replacing Ms. Robin Sapp (1997-2000) who in turn had replaced longtime director Wendell Simmons. The latest addition to the Taravella music faculty for 2004-05 is Mr. Brian Wesolowski, who replaced Mr. Nikk Pilato after his departure to graduate school FSU to pursue a Doctoral degree. Mr. Wesolowski is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory of Music and taught at Western High School in Broward since March 2003.