history

Vivace Productions, Inc. was founded by Dr. John Villella in order to continue the tradition founded originally by Dr. James R. Wells and Educational Resources. Dr. Wells' forward thinking and renowned programs have continued here at Vivace Productions. Our summer workshops embrace a fresh new look at the art of music and its role in education. The student and director sessions are packed with the nation's top clinicians and include several new perspectives and insights into our favorite musical activities.

Initially, the Marching Band and Band Front Conference at West Chester University was the only workshop that was available to students and educators. A second workshop was added in 1984 at Lafayette College, and in 1986 the Band Leadership Training Program was developed featuring Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and Professor George Parks. 

In addition to our Marching Band Workshops and Leadership Training Workshops, we partner with the Universal Cheerleaders Association to provide a fantastic Cheer Camp.  We also sponsor and manage the annual Collegiate Marching Band Festival which showcases the talents of college bands of a variety of sizes and styles.

Each year the Vivace Productions staff and clinicians strive to better educate, and better stimulate those students and directors who attend our workshops. We devote our time to up-hold the level of excellence that the workshops have always possessed. We are here because of the relationships that have been formed over the years and we look forward to the future relationships yet to be built.

Dr. John W. Villella , President
Dr. Villella is the President of Vivace Productions, Inc., the national leader of summer workshops, including Leadership Training Workshops for Music Students and the Marching Band Workshops. He frequently serves as a guest conductor, adjudicator, guest lecturer, and director of music festivals in the United States, Canada and Europe. His professional affiliations include membership in the National Band Directors Association, College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National and State organizations, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Tau Beta Sigma.

John Villella is the Chairperson of Applied Music at West Chester University of PA where he currently directs the wind ensemble and co-directs the marching band. He has conducted the symphonic and concert bands in previous years. In addition, he was a supervisor of student teachers and professor of instrumental techniques and materials courses for the music education department.

Jonathan "JJ" Manento, Program Coordinator
Jonathan Manento is the Program Coordinator for Vivace Productions, Inc. An experienced brass musician, he has performance experience on French horn, trumpet, euphonium, and tuba. He has been involved with bands since 1989, marching bands since 1992, putting his knowledge and experience to work as both a music and marching instructor for several high school bands. He came to West Chester in the fall of 1997 pursuing a degree in Music Education. During his tenure at West Chester University, JJ studied Marching Band Techniques and Comprehensive Drill Design with Dr. John W. Villella and Mr. Edward Otto.

JJ is also a talented photographer and videographer, and has combined his talents and passions to produce several no/low budget short films and presentations, including works for the West Chester University Marching Band. JJ is an alumni brother of the Eta Rho Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi