Millville’s  “Music Man,” Gene Tubertini, the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce’s September ”Outstanding Citizen” award was passionate about his job as a music educator in Millville for 36 years.

 

After three years teaching music at Rieck Avenue School, he was Choir Director at Millville Senior High School from 1972 to 2005. He became K-12 supervisor for the Fine and Performing Arts Department in 1978. He directed the award-winning Select Choir. He also was director/music director of the high school musicals, which received numerous Papermill Playhouse awards.

 

Tubertini started the annual presentation of the “Messiah,” and 35 years later, it’s still a popular Millville tradition.

 

Under the auspices of the former Millville YMCA, from 1972-75, Tubertini formed “The Eighth Day,” a show group composed of Cumberland County high school students who toured Romania  and performed for the President of Romania.

 

Nancy Miller Vonk, formerly of Millville, an author and advertising executive, who now lives in Toronto, Canada, was on that trip. “Gene is a Millville treasure who made an indelible mark on the lives of his students. I’m so grateful. I left school with higher standards, more confidence and greater ambition thanks to this truly exceptional man,” Vonk said.

 

Bill and Bonnie Fenton have three good reasons to sing the praises of Tubertini—sons Graham, Jack and Alec. “The hundreds of hours they spent with Gene in his choirs and musicals created a lifetime of memories and enriched their lives and ours,” said the Fentons.  Graham has played Frankie Valli in the Las Vegas company of “Jersey Boys” for the last past several years. Jack started and directed a choir at his middle school where he is a special education teacher. Alec is an audio-visual specialist for the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in California.

 

Jeff Harris, a previous recipient of the Chamber’s Outstanding Citizen award, noted: “Gene’s a cappella choruses have brought much good music and joy to many people throughout South Jersey. Many nursing homes, assisted living centers, churches and community events have enjoyed the beautiful sounds of a cappella singing and the outstanding arrangements prepared by Gene’s unique talent. It has been such a joy for my wife Karen and me to participate with such a talented arranger and director.”

 

Tubertini is proud of the accomplishments of his former students, citing the abundance of talented singers in Millville, adding that many have become outstanding teachers and musicians.

 

Tubertini is a graduate of Vineland High School and received a Bachelor of Music education from Combs College of Music in Philadelphia and a Masters of Arts from Glassboro State College (Rowan University) along with supervisors and administrative certificates. Prior to teaching he toured the east coast as a professional musician. 

 

Tubertini also served as Chancel Choir Director of First United Methodist Church. He has received numerous awards from many professional, charitable and civic groups for his professional achievements and his service.

 

From 2006 to 2012 he directed music for “The Cumberlads,” an all men’s a cappella chorus and currently is  directing music for “The Next Chapter,’’ a mixed chorus, which will perform for community-related functions.

 

Tubertini and his wife Beth have three children and six grandchildren.

 

Gene Tubertini