Celebrating Mr. C Seventy Years of Music at La Salle College High School Saturday, January 13, 2024
PROGRAM West Side Story Medley Composed by Leonard Bernstein, Adapted by Steven Lyons ‘02 Conducted by Patrick Tice-Carroll ’16 Boogaloo Man Composed by Gerald Sebesky Conducted by Chris Mele ’13 Margaritaville Composed by Jimmy Buffett Arranged by Chris Mele ’13 Georgia On My Mind (Featuring Nick Owsik ’12) Composed by Hoagy Carmichael, Arranged by Tommy Newsom Conducted by Joe Vettori Overture from The King And I Composed by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein Conducted by Patrick Tice-Carroll ‘16 Give My Regards to Broadway (Featuring Fran Prisco ’90) Composed by George M. Cohan Adapted and Conducted by Patrick Tice-Carroll ‘16
My Funny Valentine (Featuring Michael Scarcelle ’94) Composed by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart What I Did For Love (Featuring Maria Brinkmann) Composed by Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban Conducted by Patrick Tice- Carroll ’16 Bring Him Home (Featuring Hugh Panaro ’82) Composed by Claude-Michel Schonberg and Herbert Kretzmer Conducted by Patrick Tice-Carroll ’16 Music of The Night (Featuring Hugh Panaro ’82) Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber Conducted by Patrick Tice-Carroll ’16 Alma Mater
FEATURED PERFORMERS MARIA BRINKMANN is a graduate of Merion Mercy Academy whose high school highlights included being a part of La Salle College High School’s productions of How to Succeed in Business (Rosemary), Damn Yankees, and Guys & Dolls (Sarah). She attended NYU Tisch and sang and danced her way through Asia performing in The Sound of Music (Sister Sophia/Maria). After ten years in the theater, Maria graduated from CUNY School of Law and now practices law in New York City. FRANK DILELLA ’02 is an 11x Emmy Award winning entertainment journalist and the host of On Stage on Spectrum News NY1 in New York City, the news channel’s weekly half-hour magazine program. Over the years, DiLella has acted as a contributing correspondent for The Tony Awards, The Olivier Awards at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Playbill, MANHATTAN Magazine and Broadway Direct. He has appeared as an entertainment correspondent for Morning Joe on MSNBC, BBC, The Tamron Hall Show, Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live, Sirius XM, CBS, NBC, CTV, and Al Jazeera TV. In January of 2022, Frank executive produced and hosted the documentary – Reopening: The Broadway Revival for Great Performances on PBS. He’s made multiple big and small screen appearances as “himself” including – Ryan Murphy’s The Prom – opposite Meryl Streep (NETFLIX), Smash (NBC), The Little Voice (APPLE TV+), Gossip Girl (HBO MAX) and The Forty-Year-Old Version (SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL/NETFLIX). DiLella received a degree from Fordham University at Lincoln Center and has since returned to his alma mater as an adjunct professor teaching entertainment journalism. HUGH PANARO ’82 is perhaps best known for having played the coveted role of The Phantom in Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera over 2,500 times, including the 25th Anniversary production and is one of the few actors cast by Harold Prince as both The Phantom and Raoul in the Broadway production. Hugh made his Broadway debut in the original production of Les Misérables as Marius, the role he originated in the First National Company. He also created the roles of Buddy in the original Side Show, Julian in Jule Styne’s The Red Shoes, and the title role in the American premiere of
Cameron Mackintosh’s Martin Guerre. Hugh was nominated for an Outer Critic Circle Award for his performance in the title role of Elton John's Lestat. He made his West End debut in the original London company of Harold Prince’s Showboat as Gaylord Ravenal, the role he previously played in the Broadway and Toronto Productions. Off Broadway Hugh was the title role in Sweeney Todd at the Barrow Street Theatre. An active concert artist, Hugh has sung with symphony orchestras all over the world and toured Europe with the legendary Barbra Streisand. Hugh graduated from Temple University and was awarded the Boyer College of Music Certificate of Honor. In 2022, Hugh was inducted into the LaSalle College High School Arts Hall of Fame. Hugh’s new solo debut album is available at: hughpanaro.hearnow.com Instagram: @realhughpanaro FRAN PRISCO ’90 studied Theatre at DeSales University. He then moved to Center City Philadelphia to pursue his acting career and remains a resident. Briefly he returned to La Salle to direct the fall play and spring musical in 1994-95. He has worked for most of his hometown's major theatre companies including the Arden, Act II Playhouse, and Philadelphia Theatre Co. A highlight of Fran's career was when he got to perform in Stephen Sondheim's Passion at the Wilma Theatre where both Joe and his brother Gene Ciccimaro played in the pit. His artistic home away from home has been the Walnut Street Theatre where he has performed in almost 40 productions. While at La Salle Fran acted in Grease, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and George M! MICHAEL SCARCELLE ’94 has been hailed by the New York Times, The Boston Globe, Opera News, and The Washington Post for his performances in opera and theater. As a bass-baritone soloist, he has sung in concert several times at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kimmel Center, as well as internationally with ensembles such as London Symphony, Munich Philharmonic, American Symphony Orchestra, Boston Baroque, The Metropolitan Opera, and Leipzig Symphony Orchestra. His concert of Broadway music with Macedonia Philharmonic earned him a Cultural Diplomacy Award from the United States Embassy. In addition to his international opera career, has also performed theater Off Broadway as well as in regional musical theater. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Temple University, a Master of Music from Yale University, and a Bachelor of Music from The City University of New York.
MUSICIANS KEVIN BLANKE '14 is the house drummer/percussionist at Walnut Street Theatre. A graduate of University of the Arts, he keeps a busy schedule of gigging and teaching, both privately and at Paul Vi High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey" SCOTT BLANKE ‘17 is a trombonist and violinist who received his Bachelor of Music in 2021 and Master of Arts in Teaching in 2022 from the University of the Arts, where he Scott plays with the Andrew Neu Big Band, Peter Frank Jazz Orchestra and various other small ensembles, big bands, pit orchestras, and private events throughout the Philadelphia area. He is currently the band and jazz band director at Pennfield Middle School in the North Penn School District. VINCE CARR '99 i s a conductor, organist, pedagogue, and composer/ improviser widely known for his versatility as a performer and collaborative musician. He currently oversees the education division for the American Guild of Organists, the world’s largest professional organization of organists and church musicians. He has been on the faculties of Indiana University, Montclair State University and William Paterson University and resides in Montclair, NJ. PAUL J. CARROLL '00 is the Director of Music Ministry at Corpus Christi Parish in Chatham, NJ and Music Director at Mother Seton Regional High School in Clark, NJ. He created Musical Collaborations with his wife, Alexandra, to provide educational programs and tours around the world. Paul holds Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. WALTER CHOI was born in Philadelphia and a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree of Music. As a scholarship recipient, he studied with Isidor Saslav (former concertmaster of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra), Shirley Givens, Earl Carlyss (former violinist of the Juilliard String Quartet), and members of the American String Quartet. Earlier teachers include Byrnina Socolofsky and Frank Costanzo, a former violinist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Walter currently performs with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Reading Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Kennett Symphony, the No Name Pops Orchestra, and the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra. He has performed with the Savoy Opera Company and the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra. He has recorded three albums with the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra.
DAVE CIANCI ’86 directed La Salle’s competition band from 1989-1991 and again in 1993-1994, while he was a student at Drexel and the University of the Arts. He is the Bass Trombonist for The Philly Pops/No Name Pops since 1997 as well as the pianist at the Bay Pony Inn near Skippack, PA. Bass Trombonist since 2003 for the Vox Ama Deus chamber orchestra. CHRISTOPHER DOLLICH ’23 is currently studying jazz performance at the University of Miami, under the mentorship of Brian Lynch. He is in the process of joining and exploring the music scenes of both Philadelphia and Miami. TYLER DOWLING ’17 is a recent graduate of Temple University. He earned his B.M. and M.M. in Music Performance. Tyler is currently a music teacher at Nazareth Academy, Band Director at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, and directs the Lab Band at Council Rock South. In addition to teaching, Tyler regularly performs around the Philly/Jersey area. JAMES FINEGAN was born and raised in Philadelphia and began his violin studies at the age of ten. He is a member of the Delaware and Allentown Symphonies and is an active freelance musician in the Philadelphia area, performing with the Philadelphia Ballet, the Philly Pops, Opera Philadelphia, Opera Delaware, and other area groups. James has participated in numerous summer festivals, including the National Orchestral Institute, AIMS in Graz, Spoleto USA, and the National Repertory Orchestra, with which he was a featured soloist. In addition, he spent three summers with the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder. James has been a member of the Elysium String Quartet since 2008 and is a graduate of Temple University, studying with William dePasquale ‘51. He is currently the Middle and Upper School Orchestra Director at the Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, PA. JASON FRATICELLI is a Philadelphia native upright bassist, composer and bandleader who has been immersed in the Philadelphia and New York jazz and original music scenes for over 25 years. He has won awards from prestigious organizations such as the Pew grant to record one of his most extensive works entitled the Mothers’ Suite that was released on Ropeadope records in 2014. Jason has played, recorded, and toured both nationally and internationally with artists such as Cyro Baptista, Melody Gardot, Billy Martin, Taylor McFerrin, Bernie Worrell, G Love, and the Brian Marsella trio with Kenny Wollesen playing John Zorn's music. Ongoing musical performing organizations in which Jason's artistry is involved are currently with American Jewish reggae singer Matisyahu and with Spaga, a jazz jam band trio formed by Aron Magnor of the Disco Biscuits. Jason also leads his own art rock band often described as Frank Zappa-esque called the J Frat Band that released
their debut record entitled Dream Diaries which is on Ropeadope records. Jason currently teaches at La Salle College High School. NICK FUCHS ‘21 is currently a junior pursuing a B.M. in Saxophone and Woodwind performance as well as a Master of Arts and Teaching at University of the Arts. He has spent time in both of the school’s showcase bands, ZBand and Transfusion, as well as in the education department at the Kimmel Center and teaching instrument lessons in a private studio. He plays gigs around Philadelphia doing recording sessions, pit orchestras, and large and small jazz groups. MARJORIE GOLDBERG was raised in the Philadelphia area. She studied viola and music education at The Hartt School of Music in Connecticut. For over 30 years, Marjorie has been a performer in prominent Pennsylvania orchestras, a music educator, and an active freelancer. Marjorie is a member of the viola sections in the Harrisburg Symphony and the Philly Pops and now the No Name Pops. She also performs with and arranges music for Ani Kinor, a chamber ensemble at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia. In addition, she performs with many other ensembles in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. In 2019 Marjorie was elected to the position of Vice President of the Philadelphia Musicians’ Union, Local 77 of the American Federation of Musicians. JACK JUDGE ’18 is a performer and educator based out of South Philadelphia. With an upbringing in classical and an affinity for jazz, Jack is quickly becoming one of the most in demand percussionists and educators in Philadelphia. RON KERBER is a Philadelphia based saxophonist, woodwind specialist, composer, and arranger. Ron has an active recording career and is a member of The No Name Pops, and has performed with Peter Nero and the Philly POPs, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra, The Delaware Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra 2001. Ron was a University of the Arts faculty member for 35 years, having also served as Associate Dean of Performing Arts. RANDY KAPRALICK is Director of Bands at La Salle College High School where he is enjoying his third year directing the Honors Band, Concert Band, and the award-winning Competition Band. For the 15 years prior, he was an educator at University of the Arts; Chair of the trombone department; Coordinator of the Pre-College Summer Institute; Ensemble Coordinator; and Assistant Dean of the School of Music. He is an active performer and commissioned writer in Philadelphia and has toured nationally with several Motown artists including the Four Tops, Temptations, and Aretha Franklin.
His formal education includes a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of Miami School of Music and a Master of Fine Arts in Music Composition from Vermont College of Fine Arts. SUE LERNER is in her 13th year as a String Specialist at La Salle College High School who holds degrees in Performance from The Hartt School of Music and The Manhattan School of Music. As a Cellist she has performed for the Broadway Series at Kimmel Cultural Campus and Forrest Theatre’s since 2006. She is grateful and honored to follow Joseph Ciccimaro as Musical Contractor of the Forrest Theatre and Broadway Series at the Kimmel Center. STEVEN LYON ‘02 is a New York City based multiple woodwind artist and educator. Steven has performed in over 35 Broadway and 10 Off-Broadway shows. He is currently performing in Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along and can be heard on the cast recording for Merrily and for other musicals including New York, New York, Heathers, and Something Rotten. Steven has performed and recorded with artists including Placido Domingo, Kristin Chenoweth, Anne Hathaway, Randy Rainbow, The 8-Bit Big Band, and Kelli O'Hara. He can also be heard on film and TV shows including Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy (PBS), John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (Netflix), Co-Op (Documentary Now!), and Peg + Cat (PBS). This fall, Steven was thrilled to join the superb faculty at LaSalle College High School teaching woodwinds. MARYANNE MARTIN met Joe Ciccimaro at Archbishop Wood High School where he was the band director. After two piano and band performances of "Rhapsody in Blue" as a senior, Maryanne and Mr. C formed a professional music relationship that has spanned fifty years. Along with many years of piano performances in Philadelphia theater and nightclubs along with private teaching, Maryanne's current positions as piano teacher at Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Elementary and La Salle College High School are the result of phone calls from Mr. C. The word "gratitude" comes to mind in looking back over a meaningful career of music and fun. CONOR McELROY ‘17 continued his study of the trombone at the University of the Arts (2021) and is currently pursuing music education at West Chester University and working as Music Director at John Bartram High School in Philadelphia. As a performer, Conor has played extensively as a commercial musician, at amusement parks, weddings, chamber orchestras, recording studios, big bands and in collaboration with composers and creatives in the Philadelphia area. As a leader, Conor is preparing to release his first record and release promotional material for his new brass quintet Valley Harmony.
JOHN MEKO ‘16 is a professional trumpet player and music educator at La Salle College High School. He is a proud alumnus of Temple University (2020, 2022) and currently plays in the big band Josh Lee and the Extended Family, the professional wedding band Big Ric Rising, and plays consistently throughout the Philadelphia area. CHRIS MELE ’13 is Chair of the Fine Arts Department at La Salle College High School. He can also be found teaching at the University of the Arts, The Kimmel Cultural Campus, and in his own private studio. He has a B.A. from University of the Arts and a M.A. from Temple University. Chris is an active freelance trombonist and low brass musician in the tri-state area performing regularly with groups such as the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Jack Saint Clair Jazz Orchestra, Snacktime Brass Band, and the Chester Children’s Chorus. PAT MERCURI is a veteran performer on guitar, banjo, and mandolin. In addition to his concerts, recording and touring with Midiri Brothers, he plays small group jazz regularly with a variety of other area groups, as well as the Leabman-Kenney Jazz Orchestra and the Andrew Neu Big Band. Pat has long been the first-call performer on fretted instruments with the Philadelphia Orchestra and has played show, jazz, and classical music professionally in Philadelphia, Atlantic City and New York. He has played on Broadway (Ragtime, Showboat), with The New York Philharmonic, and has performed in Europe, Russia, Cuba, China, and the Middle East with various classical musical groups. Pat Mercuri taught Guitar and Music Theory at LaSalle College High School through the 1980s into the early 1990s and performed in Joe’s Forrest Theatre Orchestra regularly from 1976 to 1995. LUKE OPIELSKI ’20 where he learned various doubling instruments and played in many capacities in and outside of school such as the 2017 Cavalcade of Bands Championship-winning band, Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, Epiphany of Our Lord Church, and the 2018 Pennsylvania AllState Jazz Band. Luke later attended Temple University and plans to graduate with a B.A. in Finance this May. DAVE OREHOWSKY is a graduate of PCPA and WCU who began his teaching career at La Salle College High School directing the jazz band and chorus. He then taught at the Episcopal Academy, and then North Penn School District, from where he retired last year. He has played the trumpet as shows at the Forrest and Walnut Street Theaters. He is now the Assistant Band Director at Villanova University.
NICK OWSIK ’12 is presently the split-lead trumpeter for the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors band. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music at the University of North Texas (UNT). While at UNT, Nick played in their acclaimed One O’Clock Lab Band for four years, and as One O’Clock band’s lead trumpeter from 2017 – 2019, he shared the stage with musical greats such as Doc Severinsen, James Morrison, Christian McBride, Jimmy Heath, and many more. Nick tours with the Jazz Ambassadors throughout America and internationally. GREG SNYDER studied jazz performance on guitar at Temple University and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in music technology, online, from Southern Utah University. He is active in the local music scene and is privileged to play with some of the best musicians in Philadelphia. The Greg Snyder Trio is his own project. It is a modern jazz guitar trio. The trio has released two albums that can be found on all streaming services. Greg has been a music faculty member at La Salle College High School since 2011. NORMAN “SKIP” SPRATT is a saxophonist and woodwind doubler who has performed with Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra Jr., Aretha Franklin, Tommy Tune, Ben Vereen, Joel Gray, The Ocean City Pops, and others. He has been a featured soloist with jazz greats Randy Brecker, Bill Watrous and John Faddis as well as performing with The Berks Jazz Festival Big Band. Skip has recorded jingles for KYW Radio, WPVI Channel 6, Bally’s Park Place, and TV shows in Montreal, Puerto Rico, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City. Skip has published many artist interviews and educational masterclasses in Saxophone Journal for Dorn Publications and Saxophone Today. His website SaxShed.com provides a service to saxophonists worldwide. Mr. Spratt is on faculty at Rowan University, Stockton University and La Salle College High School following a rewarding career as a band director. He holds a B.M. with honors in Jazz Saxophone and an M.A.T. in Music Education from The University of the Arts. PATRICK TICE-CARROLL ’16 is an orchestrator, music director, and music engraver based in Los Angeles. CA. Recently, he contributed additional music and orchestration to Candy Cane Lane (Amazon Video). Additional music preparation credits include: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Killers of the Flower Moon, Avatar 2, American Dad, and Only Murders In The Building. For theater and opera, Patrick has contributed additional arrangements and orchestrations to Four Lost Santas (Orland Opera), Too Bright To See (in development), and The Rocking Boy.
JOE VETTORI a renowned woodwind doubler who spent 40 years as a member of the music department and faculty at La Salle College High School. He played two tours with Burt Bacharach and has appeared in two CBS television specials in Washington, DC – one welcoming home troops from Operation Desert Storm and President Clinton’s Inaugural Special starring Barbara Streisand. He spent 12 years in the house orchestras at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, NJ along with the house orchestras ay Caesars, Sands, and Claridge Casinos in Atlantic City, playing with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, John Mathis, Natalie Cole, Linda Rondstadt, and Harry Connick, Jr. He spent over 15 years in the house orchestra at the Walnut Street Theater and plays at the Kimmel Center Campus and Academy of Music for national tours of Broadway shows. He has also performed with The Philly Pops, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia.
Alma Mater Hail, La Salle, we praise thee, Honor and tribute true. Great and bright your splendor, Banner of Gold and Blue. Loyal sons we’ll ever be, High we’ll hold your memory. Hail La Salle, our Alma Mater, Hail, all Hail.
Celebrating Mr. C On May 11, 2023, after 53 years and a countless number of students impacted by his commitment to the fine arts, Joseph F. Ciccimaro taught his last lesson at La Salle College High School. Joe began his journey at La Salle College High School in 1953 and graduated as a member of the Class of 1957. Shortly thereafter, he began a legendary career as a musician and musical contractor working with many of the biggest names of the time including Stevie Wonder, Elvis Presley, and Leonard Bernstein. In 1968, he returned to his alma mater to assist with the musical and was eventually hired as head of the Music Department. Over the next five decades, "Mr. C." created the best music program in the Philadelphia area. Countless students have become successful musicians and artists, starring on stage and screen, and their presence here tonight is a testament to his impact. Most importantly, Joe Ciccimaro has been a mentor to thousands of students, and has been a dedicated disciple to the mission and vision of La Salle College High School. He is a member of the school’s Alumni Hall of Fame and, in 2020, was an inaugural inductee into the La Salle College High School Arts Hall of Fame. Thank you to Mr. C for his lifelong dedication to his alma mater and to the students of the music program at La Salle College High School. Please consider continuing this celebration of Joseph F. Ciccimaro ’57 with a tax-deductible contribution to La Salle College High School in honor of Mr. C. 1) Checks can be made payable to La Salle College High School and sent to the school. Please indicate in the memo section that the gift is in honor of Mr. C. 2) Make a gift online at www.lschs.org/support/give-now and use the dropdown menu and select “Surprise Concert for Mr. C” 3) Use Venmo @LaSalleCollegeHSGiving and indicate that the gift is in honor of Mr. C.