This year marks the first year of teaching band for Mr. George Velasquez-Franceschi (Mr. Franceschi), and his first year working in the Carteret School District.

Mr. Franceschi is a local resident of Carteret, graduating from our school district in 2011. He later went on to graduate from Kean University in 2016 with a Degree in Music Performance and Pedagogy, his major instruments being saxophone and bassoon. Prior to coming to work at CJHS, Mr. Franceschi had spent 5 years teaching music at Cornerstone Day School, an out-of-district private therapeutic school. Mr. Franceschi's teaching experience ranges from teaching grades 5 to 12 General Music as well as being a grade 5 to 8 Teacher's Aide for math. He has also spent 3 years as the Carteret Community Choirs director at the Blazing Star Cultural Arts Center from the years 2017-2020.

Mr. Franceschi is fortunate enough to know our current and past music directors in town, Dr. Bradley and Mr. Stasolla, having as well been one of their students during his high school years. He knows just how big of a mantle it is for him to take over for his past saxophone teacher, Mr. Rob Stasolla, but is excited to bring in new ideas and opportunities for students to learn and prosper. His goal is to not only grow the program but to build and extend it by having students participate in different Competitions and Festivals in the years to come.

This year he had started an after school audition ensemble with select students with whom he plans to incorporate out-of-school performances into their routine. Mr. Franceschi also plans to join the Concert and Jazz Bands, alongside the CJHS choirs, in their yearly festival performances during the 2023-2024 school year.