Concert Celebrates Italian Heritage and Culture Month

The finest in Italian classical and Neapolitan music, played by the last remaining Italian concert band in the tri-state area, was featured at the 2009 Rockland County Italian Heritage and Culture Month Celebration Concert on Friday evening October 23rd.

 

Conductor Joseph Stamboni led the thirty piece Yonkers Concert Band as it celebrated its 68th anniversary before an audience of 500 enthusiastic music lovers with a free, two hour performance at Tappan Zee High School in Orangeburg. The program began with the symphonic march “Maggiolata” by Marchesiello, and went on to highlights from Rigoletto by Verdi, Italian Festival arranged by Osser, the overture to Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna by F. Von Suppe Demelli and the Band’s signature piece: a unique sing-along of twelve Neapolitan songs with words provided to the audience. These included Santa Lucia, O Sole Mio, Vieni Sul Mar, Return to Sorrento, and other favorites.

 Joining the band was soprano Jennifer S. Greene and tenor Dale Smith. Ms. Greene sang “Musetta’s Waltz” from La Boheme by Puccini. Mr. Smith sang “Mattinata” by Leoncavallo and “E Lucevan Le Stelle” from Tosca by Puccini. They then joined forces to sing the “Brindisi” from La Traviata. The concert closed with a performance of National Emblem March which was conducted by Club President and Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Paul Oddo.

 

Before the start of the program, Orangetown Supervisor Thom Kleiner and Council Member Michael Maturo presented Mario Minichini a Proclamation declaring October 23rd as Maestro Salvatore Minichini Day in Orangetown. The Proclamation was part of a special tribute to Maestro Salvatore Minichini which also included a special performance by his son, Mario Minichini. Supervisor Kleiner also presented a Certificate of Merit to Louis "Sonny" DiCasoli in recognition of his 50 years of service to the Community as a member of the Piermont Lodge. Rockland County Executive presented to Lodge President Nick Frustaci a Proclamation which Proclaimed October as Italian Heritage and Culture Month in Rockland County.

 

The performance was sponsored by the Piermont Sons of Italy with the cooperation of the South Orangetown Central School District and admission was free. 

 

 

Annual Scholarship Program Held on May 18 at Tappan Zee High School

A standing room only audience filled the Tappan Zee High School Cafeteria for the Lodge's Annual Scholarship Program. Special guests included Orangetown Supervisor Thom Kleiner, Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoeff and Dan Moscato from State Senator Tom Morahan's Office. Also addressing the students were Lodge President Nick Frustaci, District Superintendent Dr. Ken Mitchell, High School Principal Ed Bolen and Paul Oddo. Master of Ceremonies for the event was Carlo Greco. Among other dignitaries were members of the Board of Education and Officers of Piermont OSIA, Inc., The Lodge and the Social Club.

Team Leader Tricia Castelli and Italian Language Faculty gave Certificates of Merit awarded by the Lodge to both Middle School and High School students of Italian who had achieved greater than a 90 average in their Italian courses. Seventeen students were inducted into the Excellence in Italian Honor Roll.

However, the stars of the evening were the seven students who were awarded scholarships and special Certificates of Recognition from the Town of Orangetown, New York State Senatorial Certificates from Senator Morahan and Congressional Certificates from Congressman Eliot Engle. AssemblyWoman Jaffe awarded the students New York State Assembly Certificates of Merit. Scholarships were awarded to the following students:

John Ceccio, a graduate of St. Joseph Regional High School was awarded the Piermont OSIA Sonny DiCasoli Scholarship. John will be attending Amherst College.

Lauren Novak was awarded the Piermont OSIA Salvatore Conigliaro Scholarship. Lauren will be attending SUNY Buffalo.

Katie Unger was awarded the Sons of Italy Social Club of Piermont Scholarship. Katie will be attending Bryant University.

Esther Pak was awarded the second of two Sons of Italy Social Club of Piermont Scholarship. Esther will be attending Wesleyan University.

Gina Stillo was awarded the Piermont OSIA Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Zambito Scholarship in Memory of Mauro J. Cuomo and John C. Zambito. Gina will be attending Sacred Heart University.

Jacqueline Carbonetto was awarded the second of two Piermont OSIA Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Zambito Scholarship in Memory of Mauro J. Cuomo and John C. Zambito. Jacqueline will be attending Sacred Heart University.

Katelin Morales was awarded the Fontanella Restaurant/Cathy, Sal, Gabriella and Gina Stillo Scholarship. Katelin will be attending New York University.

A special thank you to Carlo Greco, the Scholarship Committee - Donald Luisi, Sonny DiCasoli, Joe Stillo, Carlo Greco and Paul Oddo - The South Orangetown Central School District Board, Dr. Ken Mitchell, Mr. Ed Bolin, Tricia Castelli and the Italian Language Faculty of the Middle School and the High School, The Office & Custodial Staff and last but certainly not least...our benefactors: Tom & Lisa Conigliaro, Louis & Nancy DiCasoli, Joe & Camille Zambito, Cathy and Sal Stillo, The Board of Directors of Piermont OSIA, Inc. and the Sons of Italy Social Club of Piermont, Inc..