Ramblewood Middle Band Director John Nista. {David Volz}
By David Volz
Ramblewood Middle School band director John Nista will be inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame.
Nista received the news on January 12 while attending the Florida Music Education Association Conference in Tampa. He was among two band directors named and will receive his award during a ceremony at Stetson University in mid-November.
Nista has led the band program at Ramblewood for 43 years and will retire at the end of the school year. He is humble about his accomplishments and cares far more about the many students he has taught. “I love my job and the kids. Being a band director is an awesome profession,” he said.
This year, seven Ramblewood band students qualified for the all-state middle school band, the most in the school’s history. They had to complete a demanding audition. During Nista’s time at the school, at least one Ramblewood band student made all-state yearly. “I was named to conduct the all-state band in 2004 and 2010,” he said.
The current Ramblewood band, consisting of marching, jazz, and concert bands, has 235 members. Nista accepts all students who want to be part of the band regardless of ability. “I don’t kick anyone out of the band, even if they have little talent. I give everyone a chance,” he said.
He wants students to have a positive experience in band and hopes that around 80 of the eighth graders continue playing in high school. Nista believes that teamwork and the opportunity to play different instruments encourage students to join the band.
Nista credits the program’s success to the students, parents, school staff, and administration. “I have always had supportive administrators. I love the administration at Ramblewood,” he said.
Although he is retiring at the end of the school year; he looks back fondly on the many students he helped achieve success. “I plan to remain active in the music community,” he said.
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Author Profile
- David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.
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