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Michael Bell, Director of Bands
Michael Bell is the Band Director at Passage Middle School. He is an alumnus of Woodside High School and Virginia Commonwealth University. He graduated from VCU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and was an active member of their University Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. During his enrollment at VCU, he was also an active member of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity.
Under his direction, the Passage Middle School bands have earned superior and excellent ratings at state assessments as well as local music competitions. He looks forward to continuing to have students strive for excellence throughout their middle school band experience.
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Michael Bell, Director of Bands | Christopher Snider, Director of Orchestras | Marshall Severin, Director of Choirs
Christopher Snider, Director of Orchestras
Chris Snider is currently the Orchestra Director at Passage Middle School. He is an alumni of Menchville High School and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Industry from James Madison University. While enrolled at JMU, he was an active member in both the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.
Mr. Snider has worked outside of Passage Middle School recording, producing, and developing up-and-coming artists in the Hampton Roads area across a broad spectrum of musical genres. He also is an active member, songwriter, and composer with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI).
Mr. Snider is excited to join Passage Middle School’s Music Department for his first year in education. He looks forward to continuing excellence in music and inspiring students during their middle school orchestra journey.
Marshall Severin, Director of Choirs
Marshall Severin has been dedicated to performing arts in Hampton Roads since he graduated from Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. He comes to Passage Middle School after 8 years of performing professionally in Hampton Roads. He has performed with organizations such as Virginia Musical Theatre, Virginia Opera Company, and the Virginia Chorale.
He has served as a mentor for the Virginia Chorale’s Young Singers project, giving him the wonderful opportunity to connect and teach many local students. He teaches private voice lessons, and has served as a clinician in middle and high schools in Virginia Beach, Chesepeake, and Isle of Wight, in addition to performing with various churches as a guest soloist.
Mr. Severin contributes elsewhere in the Newport News Public School Division as the Choir Director at Denbigh High School. He also serves as Music Director for Warwick High School’s Drama Department. ​
