Over the past fifty years, Mr. Phil Ventre, Director of Orchestral and Jazz Ensemble, has cultivated a passionate community of musicians across Choate campus. Mr. Ventre comes from a long line of musicians, and music has played a central role in his own life. As a result, he aspires to “enrich my student musicians and faculty’s lives with the very best musical performances by our orchestra, wind ensemble, and jazz ensemble.”
Mr. Ventre joined the Choate faculty in 1970 and has worked tirelessly to create the best music program at Choate for all levels of musicians. From Chamber Orchestra, band, and Jazz Combo. Today, he conducts 74 musicians in Orchestra, 18 musicians in Jazz Ensemble and band, and 53 musicians in Wind Ensemble.
Mr. Ventre’s commitment and thorough instruction has led Choate’s instrumental ensembles to numerous accomplishments. Choate’s orchestra has performed in countless international concert tours, competitions, and performances in Bermuda, Puerto Rico, twelve European countries, China, South Korea, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the White House. Mr. Ventre said, “I shall cherish for a lifetime the memories of their sincere dedication to achieving their individual level of artistic excellence. These gifted and sincere young scholar musicians have bonded together to create and to nurture a truly inspirational musical family!”
As Mr. Ventre begins his new journey outside of Choate, he said, “I encourage my gifted musicians to always have sincerity of purpose as they nurture their unlimited potential as a scholar and as a musician.” He hopes students will cherish every moment at Choate as they perform with the outstanding music ensembles in our community and continue to inspire many beyond the Choate community.
Mr. Davidson
After Mr. Ventre’s retirement in spring, Mr. James Davidson will become the longest-serving faculty member on campus. Mr. Davidson has been a member of the Choate community for 43 years;
He started working in the Athletics department in the spring of 1976 before becoming a full time faculty member that same year.
Rather than viewing his seniority among Choate faculty as an accomplishment, Mr. Davidson simply enjoys his time at Choate, and will continue to do so in the years to come. As Mr. Davidson said, “It is when I stop and think about it, that it does seem unusual to have been one place for a long time.” The vibrant and cohesive atmosphere at Choate makes every year for Mr. Davidson exciting and rewarding.
Over 43 years, Mr. Davidson witnessed Choate undergo vast changes. Choate has greatly diversified, both academically — in its ever growing class offerings — and demographically. Although our community has changed in many aspects, Mr. Davidson believes that the “positive and cheerful attitude amongst the students” has always been consistent. One of Mr. Davidson’s goals is to work with students in sports, dorms, and classrooms to help them build on their strengths and to make them feel respected and appreciated.
