2007 Vocational Service Award
Kevin Plouffe named 2007 Woonsocket Rotary Vocational Service Award Recipient
Woonsocket Rotary honors Kevin Plouffe as the recipient of the Vocational Service Award. The Award is given to an individual who adheres to the highest ethical standards including faithfulness and fidelity to their employer, employees, and associates, fair treatment of them and of their competitors, the public, as well as all those with whom they have any business or professional relationships and the contribution of one's vocational talents to the problems and needs of society.
Plouffe earned a Bachelor's Degree in Percussion Performance from the New England Conservatory in 1992 and a Master's Degree in Music Education with an emphasis in conducting from the University of Rhode Island in 1994.
He is in his twelfth year as band director at Woonsocket High School, where his responsibilities include directing the marching band, concert band, jazz band, and percussion ensembles, as well as serving as the music department representative. In addition, Plouffe teaches percussion at Brown University through the applied music program. He also coaches the Brown University Wind Symphony Percussion Section and conducts the Brown University Percussion Ensemble. He is president of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.
On behalf of the musicians of the Woonsocket High School Music Department Plouffe has received numerous accolades including seven first place awards from national music festivals numerous second and third place awards as well as numerous honorable mentions. He is the founder of the Blackstone Valley High School Jazz Festival at the Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre, 10 years and running.
His past experience includes, Band Director at Norwood High School, Director of Rhode Island Music Educators' Association Junior All-State Jazz Ensemble and faculty member at the University of New Hampshire Summer Youth Music School. He has performed with numerous orchestras throughout New England; the RI and Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, the Worcester Symphony Orchestra, New Bedford and Plymouth Symphony and Theatre by the Sea to name a few.
Plouffe stated "I am fortunate to be able to share a passion everyday. I share the emotions of kids with the emotions of music everyday. It is the magic of music which brings the best out of the kids. They bring the best out of us. Music teaches us about ourselves. We learn our strengths and weaknesses. We develop character, creativity, cooperation and communication skills. It is music that teaches our youth the skills of the 21st century workplace."
Kevin resides in Mapleville with his wife, Diane who is a teacher and violinist, and his two daughters.