La Salle's Music Department enjoys record student involvement and extraordinary success, due in no small measure to Mr. Joseph Ciccimaro and his extensive musical experience, his La Sallian heritage, and genuine concern for the individual student. ' When "Mr. C" entered La Salle High School at 20,h and Olney in 1953, he was a clarinet player. However, using an approach that Mr. C. himself would later adopt, then band director Joseph Colantonio encouraged young Ciccimaro to familiarize himselfwitE other instruments. Soon, he was playing saxophones and woodwinds as well as continuing hiS advanced study of the clarinet. Even today, LaSalle band members broaden their musical horizons by followir:g Mr. C's rre.scriptions of brass, percussl0n,orwoodwlnd. In high school, Mr. C discovered his love of the musica1 theater when a brother took him to Broadway to see The Kin,g and I. After this revelatory experience, Nfr. C was determined to pursue the career of a theater musician. Keeping this goal in mind, he went to La Salle University, where he earned a degree in English and teaching certification in English and SOClal Studies. There he continued with his music and obtained a welIrounded La Sallian education as well. He also landed his first theater job and began teaching instrumental lessons at La Salle High School and throughout the diocese. S~)()il after gradu~tion, he was employed as band dltector at f\rchblshop Wood High School. Around the same
time, he was hired as a musical contractor for Philadelphia's Forrest Theater, for Leonard Berstein s broadway-bound 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Impressed with Mr. c.'s talent, Bernstein invited him to work in New York. Mr. C. had other plans though, ones that have come to fruition In La Salle's Music Program as we know it. Under Brother Gene Graham, La Salle began a tradition of putting on "big" musicals. Mr. C, still band director at Wood, was invited to produce and direct the musical theater at LaSalle. Later, he left Wood for La Salle full time. Since the 1970's, Mr. C. has led the music department to its current splendor: developing the innovative rock Pep Band, the Jazz Bands, the classical Concert Band, the Instrument Ensembles, the Chorus, and the student-led pit orchestra. On a personal level, Mr. C's body of . Wisdom and experience has guided disoriented freshmen, indecisive seniors', and many in between. He fosters in his students a greater appreciation of talent, presents an informed perspective on problems, reveals a better understanding ofhigf1 school, offers a saner, more realistic approach to the college process, and inspires a more passionate lo~e of life. In appreciation of his long dedication to La Salle and to its students, in recognition of his outstanding professional career, and in sincere hope for his continued success and well-beina- , we of the Bltle and Gold dedicate this millenniat yearbook to Mr. Joseph Ciccimaro. -A 17drellJ PtinIe1
Mr. C in his 1957 Senior Picture.
Fast Facts: - Born on Mozart's birthday. - Started music lessons in 1st grade. - First musical instrument was a piano his father won in a poker game. - First job in the theater was a Jewish variety show that opened on Christmas Day. - Played for the debuts of Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and John Travolta. - Had the singular experience of playing for The J(i/~g and I, the source of his inspiration. - Directed teachers Mr. Edward Molush, Mr. William Geiger, and Mr. John Grace when they were students here. Mr. C proving his Italian heritage with a grin of joy for his favorite band class.