PORT ST. LUCIE PEOPLE
forging the way for hundreds of students to broaden their
horizons via music exploration.
Not one to boast, Hatfield’s accomplishments keep
piling up. He is the school’s Teacher of the Year and his
jazz bands have earned superior ratings at State Solo and
Ensemble competitions for the last five years. In December,
the band had a rare opportunity to perform at Club Med
Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie. A band parent lives in the
community and insisted the students perform. He made
the connection.
“It was really cool,” Hatfield says. “They (Club Med)
loved it. We played by the pool and they treated us to a
fancy buffet.”
In the four-county area there are only seven school jazz
bands and Hatfield directs two of them.
Their schedule balloons after the holidays with traveling
out of the area to compete. He is a statewide adjudicator
and balances responsibilities as a seasoned professional.
His personality is easy going and sets students at ease.
He directs 80 students in the program and received three
new French horns this year. The Palm Pointe Symphonic
band attends the Florida Bandmasters Association’s District
13 performance assessment (known as Festival) April
1 at Treasure Coast High School. Recent successes propel
everyone toward higher achievement.
“It is rewarding to have students come back to visit after
10 years of teaching — some now have families of their
own,” Hatfield says. “It sounds cliché but one of my favorite
things about my job is my students. They come from such
diverse backgrounds. I came from a totally different upbringing.
I know I am making a difference in their lives.” E
Students recognize when Hatfield gets excited about directing; his animated
style is infectious to those around him.
60 Port St. Lucie Magazine