By Alexis Lien ’23 and Renee Jiang ’22
Since his arrival at Choate, in 1970, Faculty Marshall Mr. Phil Ventre has rebuilt the School’s music program from the ground up, developing it into one of the best in the nation.
Today, Choate is the only secondary school in the U.S. that offers seven music history courses and 31 private music teachers who teach lessons on instruments ranging from bagpipes to the banjo to the Caribbean steelpan. During his time at Choate, Mr. Ventre taught theory, harmony, counterpoint, and six of the music history classes. He has also directed the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, String Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra.
Some of Mr. Ventre’s greatest accomplishments are the Symphony Orchestra’s many performances in prestigious locations across the globe. Over the years, it has performed in China, South Korea, a dozen locations across Europe, New York’s Carnegie Hall, Washington’s Lincoln Center, and Yale University. The group was recently selected as one of four youth orchestras in the nation to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, as part of the Capital Orchestra Festival.
Mr. Ventre was dedicated to his students and shared his love for music with each of them. Supriya Chang ’21 said, “He exposed me to a whole world of art that I wouldn’t have explored without his guidance. Although tough on us, there is no one more dedicated than Mr. Ventre is to our success and happiness. The Choate music community owes everything to him.”
Jayden Khuu ’21 added, “When he’s in the room, time stops — all you want to do is create art with him. You feel an obligation to play well to respect the music and its composer. He was more than my teacher and conductor. He was my friend.”
Mr. Ventre said he stayed at Choate for half a century “because everyone is so sincere…the students work very conscientiously: they love music. I love introducing them to the great composers in my history classes; I love having them play the greatest musical masterworks by all the greatest composers. I’ve loved every minute.”
In his retirement, Mr. Ventre plans to continue working with the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra, which he founded in 1974; conducting in China, which he has been doing since 1998; guest conducting in the U.S.; spending more time with his daughters and grandchildren; and traveling with his wife.
Mr. Ventre offered one final message to his students: “You have all shown such sincerity of purpose, such kindness and care, and you are so dedicated, and you all work so conscientiously. As you know, because many of your colleagues have told you, the Choate Orchestra is your family.”
