batiste cultural arts academy®
Paul A. Batiste
School news release!
Paul A. Batiste is one of seven boys born to John and Estella Batiste. He is a professional musician, band director, guitar teacher and composer. He is the recipient of the Superintendent’s Award, Con Brio (for service to music), the National Elementary Schools Recognition Award and the Wal-Mart 2007 local Teacher of the Year Award. In addition, his experience in education and the entertainment business spans 30 years. He has been an educator for more than 30 years and 40 years of being a leader of the Gladiators, and more recently, the Batiste Brothers Band. Also, he is a veteran of the US Army and former member of the 204th and 202nd Military Police Company. In addition, he has received the National Defense Medal. This year, he is celebrating his 50th Anniversary in music. This
As a student at SUNO, Paul tried to study everyone from Bach and Beethoven to artist like Segovia, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Muddy Waters, Howard Roberts, Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King and many others. This planted seeds for developing his own style by combining Classical, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, Spiritual, and Funk.
“Education and Performing Arts are rewarding experiences. I started teaching in 1978 at a high school and Hogan's Conservatory of the Arts in New Orleans. The culture and traditions that exist in different communities, lends itself to a gratuitous teaching and learning experience. It is a place where there is a “Gumbo” style of music that compliments the wonderful and creative people. Also, I am a guitarist but I teach and play many different instruments. Combine that with playing the many different venues and concerts (local, national and international) and it’s a recipe loving one’s trade.
The CD is a collection of songs written representing a cross-section of music that stimulates the senses. All songs are written, produced, recorded, engineered, performed and programmed by Paul Batiste. The trademark sound is raw and pure. “Slow and Easy” is southern soul. The country/gospel sound of “Tribute to My Parents”, offers a sentimental journey to the pass and a dedication. Meanwhile, “Sudden Death” is rock and roll at it’s finest.
I want to personally thank the thousand of fans who have supported the Batiste Family over the pass few decades. And, I would like to thank the students and parents who let me into their lives-the many parent conferences, report card conferences, trails and tribulation, first steps in the music world and the many performances we shared. Your excitement, love for music and continued interest, will always be appreciated and remember.”
Paul A. Batiste,
My students and their parents call me “Mr. Batiste.”
makes him a knowledgeable and talented asset to the community.Dear Parents,
In an effort to be TRUE to our mission, I have shifted focus to become a CONCERT BAND. Our first year was a magnificent success. The marching band marched in the halls of formerly locked doors and carried students to academic accolades. Now, we have an opportunity to break down the doors of our mission-cultural arts.
A concert band introducing higher art forms such as classical, symphonic, jazz, and music of our heritage is more difficult to achieve than a marching band. Sometimes, we don’t readily except an orchestra because of the lack of funding for instruments of the strings family such as violins, cellos…….
At Batiste Cultural Arts Academy, our goal is to become an ORCHESTRA. By combining band and strings, one becomes an orchestra. It’s a long term goal. However, one must start somewhere. Traditionally, schools have on occasion included concert season to their schedule. The mandatory state curriculum guide includes orchestra lesson plans. Though, many schools don’t target strings, music theory, reading and writing music-I do and will.
Being a cultural arts school, it is incumbent upon us to become culturally literate. Our new marching band uniforms double into format wear. So, when we focus on concert band, we don’t miss a beat.
Today, marching bands don’t play marches. On the contrary, I was taught it is obligatory to play a march like “Washington Post.” Few marching bands in the city play marches at field shows and parades. Ergo, it becomes difficult to change the mind set.
Concert band, stage band, brass band, Trios, Quartets, Small ensembles, soloist and performing contest music is more fun and educational than one might think.
A concert band, also called wind band, symphonic band, symphonic winds, wind orchestra, wind symphony, wind ensemble, or symphonic wind ensemble, is a performing ensemble consisting of several members of thewoodwind instrument family, brass instrument family, and percussion instrument family.
A concert band's repertoire includes original wind compositions, arrangedclassical music compositions, light music, and popular tunes. Though the instrumentation is similar, a concert band is distinguished from the marching band in that its primary function is as a concert ensemble. The standard repertoire for the concert band does, however, contain concert marches.
Finally, all of you who helped us have performed a miracle. I am so proud of the students at our school. Following this year and our efforts to become a concert band, we hope to march in a major carnival parade for the arts in the year 2013.
Best Wishes,
Paul A. Batiste
Arts Director
