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 2011 Rockland County Italian Heritage and Culture Month Celebration Concert held on Friday evening October 21st at 7:30 PM at Tappan Zee High School in Orangeburg. Serving as Master of Ceremonies for the evening will was Paul Oddo, President of the Piermont Sons of Italy. The Piermont Sons of Italy sponsored the free Concert as its gift to the people of Rockland County. The Concert harkend back to a time when every town and village in Italy celebrated with Concerts in the piazza. The same was true in every Little Italy throughout America. It was a fitting way to celebrate Italian heritage and keep alive the culture.

 

Conductor Joseph Stamboni led the thirty piece Yonkers Concert Band as it celebrated its 70th anniversary with the two hour performance. The program included the Symphonic March "Donatella", "Funiculi, Funicula", and the overture to La Gazza Ladra by Rossini. Special selections included the debut of "Italian Suite" by former band member Pasquale Pistone, and "Inno di Garibaldi", in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the re-unification of Italy. Also included was everyone's favorite, the Band’s signature piece: a unique sing-along of twelve Neapolitan songs with words provided to everyone in attendance. 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, and “Ah fors e lui, -Sempre Libera" from La Traviata by Verdi. Mr. Smith sang “Celeste Aida” from Verdi's Aida, and “La Donna e Mobile” from Rigoletto. They then joined forces to sing the famous love duet “Parigi, o Cara”, from La Traviata.

 

The performance was sponsored by the Piermont Sons of Italy with the cooperation of the South Orangetown Central School District. Proceeds from the sale of refreshments benefited the Tappan Zee High School Italian Club. A Proclamation from the County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef was presented to Lodge President Rocco Trentinella declaring October 2011 as Italian Heritage and Culture Month. Town Supervisor Paul Whalen and other elected officials were on hand as well.

Annual Scholarship Program Held on May 17, 2010  at Tappan Zee High School

A virtually full auditorium of 700 were on hand as the following Students were awarded scholarships:

1. The 2010 Piermont OSIA,Inc.  Sonny DiCasoli Scholarship - Nicole Formoso

 

2.The 2010Piermont OSIA Inc. Salvatore Conigliaro Scholarship -Tampakis Nikitas

   

3. The 2010 Giovanni Da Verrazzano Lodge #1236 Order Sons of Italy in America Scholarship - Amanda DeLaurentis

 

 

4. The 2010  Sons of Italy Social Club of Piermont Scholarship -  Flaminia Avantifiori  

 

5 .The 2010  Sons of Italy Social Club of Piermont Scholarship - Amanda Connell

 

 

 

6. The 2010 Piermont OSIA Scholarship Dr. Joseph and Mrs.Camille Zambito Scholarship

In Memory of Mauro J. Cuomo and John C. Zambito -  Caterina Marchese

 

7.The 2010 Piermont OSIA La Fontanella Restaurant- Cathy, Sal, Gabriella and Gina Stillo

In Memory of Andrea and Assunta Cosentino, Scholarship for Excellence in the Study of Italian - Salvatore Rinchiera

 

8.The 2010 Sons of Italy Social Club of Piermont Scholarship - Sharon Mathew

 

9.The 2010 Sons of Italy Social Club of Piermont Scholarship - Alyssum Quaglia

 

 

Present to address all gathered were County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef, Orangetown Supervisor Paul Whalen and District Superintendant Dr. Ken Mitchell. Special guest for the evening was Dr. Alfio Russo, Director of the Education Office of the Italian Consulate in New York. Representing the School Board was President Rosemary Petruzzella.