James Antonucci has announced plans to leave West Hartford and will lead the fine and performing arts program at Greenwich Public Schools.

By Ronni Newton

James Antonucci, who has been a part of West Hartford Public Schools for the past 14 years and has led the Hall High School instrumental music program to national acclaim as director of bands, announced last week that he has made the difficult decision to transition to a new role, and this summer will become the arts program coordinator at Greenwich Public Schools, responsible for the music, visual arts, and theater departments.

In a letter to the community Antonucci said that while he announced his decision with a “heavy heart,” the new position will give him the opportunity to broaden his skills and spend more time at home with family.

“The last 14 years have been a tremendous experience at West Hartford Public Schools,” Antonucci wrote in his letter. “The commitment to the arts in WHPS is truly astonishing.  It is such a great pleasure to serve in a district that provides the resources and time, coupled with an incredible community that champions what we do each day in Music and Performing Arts classrooms. The students have taught me so much, and helped me grow as an educator and person. They have pushed me to bring my total commitment and best to them each day, and have given so much to everything that we do.  It has been a heartfelt joy and passion to [shepherd] PnJ for the past 9 years, and I am so thankful to all the PnJ staff and parents that have dedicated themselves and sacrificed personal time each winter to create something that is truly unique here in CT and across the country.”

In Greenwich, he will coordinate the arts program for all grade level, for 15 schools and students ranging from PreK through grade 12. He will report directly to Chief Officer of K-12 Curriculum and Leadership Mr. Marc D’Amico, GreenwichFreePress.com reported.

Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones said the following in an article in GreenwichFreePress.com: “James Antonucci is a dedicated educator and leader and is driven to serve all students to enable them to reach and expand their potential. Not only did his tremendous experience in the  classroom and in leadership roles impress the district’s interview committee, but his accomplishments as a professional musician will serve as a great asset to our program. Greenwich Public Schools continues to attract the very best educators and administrators from our region. The Greenwich community cares very deeply about the Arts, and with Mr. Antonucci in place, the program will be in great hands.”

Hall’s Concert Jazz Band won the prestigious Mingus Festival & Competition in New York City this winter, and previous honors have included the district’s recognition with Kennedy Center Award for Excellence in Arts Education, the Hall Concert Jazz Band performing in the national finals of the Essentially Ellington Competition at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis on more than 15 occasions, winning the prestigious festival twice and also achieving more than 50 individual outstanding student soloist and section awards over the years.

The Hall Concert Jazz Band has been recognized as a national Downbeat Student Music Award winner from 2020 to 2023, and has earned more than 30 first-place finishes at the Berklee School of Music Jazz Festival in Boston over its 50-year festival history. Hall has also achieved multiple first-place finishes, in various categories, at the National Jazz Festival.

Antonucci earned a bachelor’s degree in music, studio, and jazz performance from the University of Miami and has a master’s in music education from New York University and a sixth year certificate in educational leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.

“I want to thank you for your support and friendship,” Antonucci told the West Hartford Public Schools community in his letter. “I feel so lucky to be surrounded by so many incredible colleagues, who are so talented and also passionate about students.  I’m inspired by you every day, and please know that I have learned and grown so much over the last 14 years because of you.  Thank you for your gift of time and shared expertise.”

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