Westwood's Castillo to sing at State of the State address tonight

John Castillo performs with The Revels at Perkins.

The Westwood Press, January 15, 2009
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WESTWOOD - Before Gov. Deval Patrick commences his 2009 State of the State address tonight, baritone John Castillo of Westwood will sing “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Castillo has sung the national anthem at Fenway Park and has been singing in public for more than a dozen years, though he is just 18 years old. He is a student at Perkins School for the Blind.

John Castillo’s baritone is heard regularly in concert at Perkins and around town. He not only sings, but also plays drums, violin, piano, plays in the Perkins Handbell Ensemble, and has been a featured singer in The Summer Revels.

Westwood’s legislative delegation, State Senator Marian Walsh (Asst. Majority Leader) and Representative Paul McMurtry will be there to congratulate Castillo. His parents, Juan and Donna Castillo, will be on hand for this proud moment, as will Perkins School for the Blind president Steven Rothstein.

“John is remarkably talented,” says Rothstein, “but it is more than that. What is so striking about the Governor’s kind invitation for John to sing at this critical event, in this historic building, surrounded by his family and so many devoted elected officials is that his voice exemplifies what is possible for all students when together we commit to excellence in education for everyone.”

Perkins School for the Blind, the nation’s first school for the visually impaired, provides education and services to help build productive, meaningful lives for more than 90,000 children and adults who are blind, deafblind or visually impaired with or without other disabilities in the U.S. and more than 60 countries worldwide. Founded in 1829, Perkins pursues this mission on campus, in the community and around the world. Learn more online at www.perkins.org