VSIDOTI WOODWINDS/MUSIC THEORY LESSONS

My love of music flourished during the sixth grade at which time my Junior High School Orchestra Director asked me to learn to play the clarinet. He eventually urged me to become a member of his Orchestra for the remainder of my Junior High School days (7-9 grades).

After attaining several Superior ratings in the annual Ohio Solo and Ensemble Contests, I realized I had some special talent for music performance. Upon high school graduation, I decided to enroll for classes at the Cleveland Institute of Music from which I received a Bachelor Of Music Degree with a major in Clarinet Performance and a minor in Music Theory. I studied clarinet with Mr. James Rettew and later with Mr. Robert Marcellus, both members of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra.

I became a member of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D. C. touring most of the states of the United States and South America. Upon return to civilian life, I received my K-12 Teaching Certificate from Baldwin Wallace University after which I was hired as Instrumental Music Instructor and Band Director for the North Olmsted School District, a position I held for 14 years.

I eventually received my Master's Degree in Woodwinds from The Ohio State University and my Ph. D. degree in Music Education with a minor in Conducting also from The Ohio State University.

During the Summers between 19 67 and 1992, I was a performing member of the Blossom Festival Concert Band consisting of a number of Cleveland Orchestra Members as well as local professional musicians.

Currently, I am a member of the part-time Music and Teacher Education Faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, teaching woodwinds, Music Theory, Music Appreciation, as well as Introduction to Education courses and directing the Tri-C Civic and Collegiate Concert Band. I also currently serve ad as adjudicator of woodwinds and strings for OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association), a position held since 1983.

I believe that because of my many years of experience and training in the field of music performance and Music Education I have gained sufficient knowledge and skills that I can truly be beneficial to young students as well as adult learners wising to further their studies in music.