James Bennett has been known as the face of entertainment in Upper St. Clair schools for 32 years. He's also the musician with connections.
In spring 2000, for example, Bennett worked out a deal with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera -- facing space constraints at the Benedum Center -- to use the Upper St. Clair High School theater as a rehearsal site for the American premiere of Barry Manilow's musical "Copacabana."
Bennett had just one condition: Manilow must visit with students. The renowned singer and composer "talked about his experiences at their age, and told our students how positive it would have been to grow up with a theater like ours," Bennett said.
Joe DeMar, the high school's dean, was impressed.
"Barry Manilow could have gone anywhere to perform and to practice. He came here because of the connections Bennett has made," he said.
Bennett is retiring this year as the school district's curriculum leader and a bands and fine and performing arts teacher for kindergarten through 12th grades. He oversees 24 teachers who provide art, dance, video and media and music instruction in the schools.
"He brings credibility to the department and into the arts, through his longevity and the contacts he has made," DeMar said. "It will take a long time to replace that."
Bennett began his career at Upper St. Clair as the band director in the fall of 1971, after two years of teaching in the California Area School District in Washington County.
He's seen numerous changes over the years -- from the theater to an up-to-date band room in the high school, rebuilt in the late 1990s, to trends in music education, such as children taking more private lessons. And, he said, children are more sophisticated these days.
Some of the biggest changes have been forged by Bennett himself.
He remembers pushing for a dance program. "Now dance is offered as an alternative to physical education," he said.
And video and media courses, at Bennett's urging, were transferred from the English to the performing arts department.
"It is a performing art, and is very popular with students," he said. Four courses now are available in this area.
Bennett's impact on band students has been particularly acute.
One student now performs with the Metropolitan Orchestra in New York City. Another served as a band director at the Air Force Academy. Still others have gone on to be high school band directors -- including Chris, one of Bennett's sons, who works in Maryland.
Upper St. Clair's concert, symphonic, wind symphony and marching bands, meanwhile, have earned excellent and superior ratings in competitions.
"We have a great tradition at Upper St. Clair. We consistently put out good bands," Bennett said.
Students have noticed -- and appreciated -- Bennett's efforts.
"I'm a freshman here, and it is great to finally work with him," said Katie Dodd, 15. "It will be very different walking in next year, and not seeing him here."
But Bennett will be around.
He'll co-direct Community Band South, a group he co-founded in 1984 with other adults who play band instruments. The band meets each Monday at the high school.
Bennett plays the French horn -- the same instrument he used to earn a scholarship to West Virginia University. He earned bachelor's and graduate degrees there.
Additional Information:
The Bennett file
