David Tintle, one of H.B. Whitehorne Middle School’s two instrumental music teachers, is retiring this June after 22 years with Verona’s music program.
Though Tintle still has one big music event ahead of him, Friday’s competition at Music In The Parks, he took a moment at this week’s spring concerts to reflect on his experiences with Verona music. Tintle, who came to Verona from Glen Ridge, thanked not only the teachers who first raised the profile of music here–Harry Owens, Tony Schmaus and Pat Curcio, but all the educators who have worked with him at Verona High School and HBW over the past two decades.
Students from each middle school class took to the stage at Tuesday’s concert to thank Tintle for making music part of their lives. Max Morden, who teaches at the elementary schools and directs the VHS jazz band, passed along a few mementos from their work together, and Amanda Hamilton, who runs HBW’s vocal music, presented some gifts.
Tintle seems to have done his work very well over the years: We’ve heard through the grapevine that many of the candidates for his job are all graduates of the Verona music program. Below is a clip from the tributes and a sample of the innovative music Tintle has brought to Verona.
