Edison School District’s Band Director Retires After 50 ‘Glorious’ Years

EDISON, NJ — Back in 1973, a 21-year-old Andrew DeNicola walked into Woodrow Wilson School in Edison as the new music teacher.

As a young music graduate from Montclair State University, DeNicola was glad to take up the job in his hometown.

Popularly known as "Andy" or "Dean" to his colleagues, DeNicola soon became the band director at J.P. Stevens High School. For 50 years, DeNicola has honed the talents of the high school band, turning it into an award-winning program.

And after a stellar career spanning 50 long years, DeNicola finally retired this summer, leaving behind a rich legacy and very big shoes to fill.

“I really have mixed emotions. I know it's time. I've accumulated over 50 years, but it's bittersweet. I still absolutely love what I do,” DeNicola told Patch.

“I get to work with kids that want to make music every day. They can't wait to get in the room. And that doesn't happen a lot in anybody's job. There are always days where you don't like your boss, or you don't like something. But I've had very few of those in all these years, it's just been great.”

After he joined Edison Public Schools, DeNicola married his neighborhood sweetheart, Kathy. “I didn’t have a job and I was worried. But then this job came by and a month later I was set,” DeNicola recalls. His retirement also coincides with his 50th wedding anniversary.

As a 21-year-old, teaching a bunch of teens was not easy, DeNicola said.

“You almost feel like you want to be their friend. And that's a tough thing, because some of these kids were 15, and I was 21 — that's not a huge gap,” DeNicola said.

“But if you're open-minded and you're smart enough, you’ll learn. And that’s what I did.”

One of the biggest challenges for DeNicola was to make sure students were having fun while learning.

“I'm not trying to teach them to be a musician. If they love it enough, whether they have me as a teacher or not, they’re gonna go into music, and find a way to keep music in their lives," DeNicola said.

“But I teach them how to go into an interview, talk to people, answer them. The challenge is always trying to balance the friendship part with the understanding that you have to work no matter what it is.”

In 2013, DeNicola was nominated as the top 10 finalists for the first GRAMMY Music Educator Award. In 2019, he was inducted into the American Bandmasters Association.

A dedicated family man, DeNicola credits his wife Kathy for being supportive of him all these years.

“We've been married 50 years, and she's put up with a lot. She had to be there for the kids much more than me because I might be out doing marching band rehearsals or marching band shows and competitions. She had to raise young kids. I've had five open heart surgeries and she was there, like a rock, making sure everything worked right,” DeNicola said. “I've been very lucky.”

With his wife now retired, DeNicola plans to fulfill their dreams of traveling around the globe.

“My wife retired five years ago, and she's been waiting for me to retire. Maybe I'll do some private teaching or help out in the school if they want me. But I want to spend more time with my wife doing things that we've planned to do like traveling,” he said.

With the 2022-23 school year being his last, DeNicola said he will miss his students a lot.

“It's always been great to see a kid walk in the door as a ninth grader, scared out of their mind, not sure what's going on, and watch them walk out the door, with their heads up in the air, knowing exactly what they're going to do with their lives,” DeNicola said. “I'm gonna miss the everyday interactions.”

To celebrate his retirement, Patch got DeNiolca's colleagues and former students to send him messages:

• John Zazzali- JPS Class of 1997, JPS assistant band director since 2003 and now the new JPS Director of Bands: I learned to figure out a way to get paid to do something that I truly love doing. It just so happened that for the past 20 years, I got to do it with Dean. I’m the luckiest guy on Earth! I will miss all of the laughs we shared together. His sense of humor made the days, weeks, months and years fly on by. My message to Dean is to sit back on the beach chair, relax and enjoy your well-deserved time off, away from the grind of the band program. Happy retirement Dean!
• Amy Lyzcen Buckelew- JPS Class of 1997, Band Director at John Adams Middle School and current Band Director at Woodbrook Elementary: The thing I will miss the most is banging on the JPS Band Room door to find Dean behind it. Before becoming Dean's colleague, I was his student. For the last 30+ years, we have been in direct, frequent contact with each other. Working alongside him has been a real joy and I'm thankful for his years of personal and professional advice.
• Farah Mbahwe, JPS Class of 2023 (alumnus): Dean taught me jazz improvisation. But not in the way one would think. He never sat down one on one and lectured about technical musical concepts— that just wasn’t his style. Instead he would throw you into the fire. Dean strengthened my problem solving skills and ability to adapt. Which eventually translated into my playing. Play a “wrong” note? Embrace it. And play a couple other prettier notes to make it sound intentional. The band wants to play in a different key? All good, I learned it in all 12 keys. Thanks for everything Dean, I wish your family the best as well as a youthful retirement.
• Todd Nichols, Rutgers University Director of Bands: I learned the importance of prioritizing family first and that there are no simple shortcuts in teaching or in life. Andy demonstrated every single day that hard work, persistence, diligence, and dedication to all those in your life is the recipe for success and fulfillment. I would miss Andy's happy banter and joking around. Andy, you have literally inspired thousands upon thousands of students, colleagues, and friends over the past 50 years. Thank you for your guiding light, inspiration, and showing us all what being a true positive role model is.
• Tiffany Peng Hwa, JPS Class of 2007 (alumnus): Andy DeNicola taught me the importance of what he always calls “taking care of business”- that every little thing we do really does matter, whether that’s taking a big enough breath for your next note, showing up on time for rehearsal, or simply persevering through a tough practice session. He also showed me by example how important it is to treat every person in your community with genuine respect and dignity, in the same way that every voice in the ensemble matters rather than just the soloist or lead voices. His influence is a massive part of the person I am today. I hope he enjoys these wonderful years of happiness in retirement ahead. He and his wife Kathy deserve this time together to experience life and the world with family and friends.

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