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Sage
Advice Along the Way When I first heard the
trombone in the 5th grade, I just loved the sound. I attended a very small
school in I was then on to the Eastman School of Music for two years of study with Dr. John Marcellus. What an honor it was for me to become part of the Remington/Eastman legacy. Doc, as he’s fondly known by his students, taught all of us about surviving in the music world. He would say if an audition or performance didn’t go well, “set ‘em up in the next alley!” I have reflected upon that phrase more than once. THANK YOU, DOC! A few years passed for me in the music
business, and I was fortunate to have crossed paths with Dr. Terry
Cravens, who teaches trombone and is chairman of the Wind and Percussion
Department at the Moving back to the East coast to play with
the West Point Band has provided the opportunity to study with Joe Alessi
of the New York Philharmonic. Joe is a hero to trombone players
worldwide for his musicianship and wonderful trombone playing. When
he comes to perform with the West Point Band, he inspires everyone.
He has asked me to “push the limit, like taming a wild animal.”
His words, patience, caring and musical guidance have changed my
life. THANK YOU, JOE! Perhaps my greatest teacher was my mother,
Marian C. Salimando. She told me I have “a beautiful and special
sound.” Somehow, her
confidence in me has carried me through the years; I’ve never forgotten
how much she believed in me. Marian was the strength and light of
our family and passed on to her four children her unique insight into
dealing with the world. She always said “if you can get up in the
morning and look yourself in the mirror, then who cares what anyone else
thinks.” THANK YOU, MOM! I hope that these experiences and words of wisdom inspire you to play the trombone and appreciate your teachers and colleagues along the way. I feel blessed to have had such great influences in my life. Each one of these teachers is a part of my sound and music every day. The journey so far has been beautiful. There have been a few bumps and ditches, but the mountaintops and stars have made it all worthwhile. Written on 9/11 2003. Playing a
9/11 memorial ceremony in Albany, N.Y. with the Concert Band this morning
made me want to publicly thank those people in my life who have been so
giving and inspiring. |
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