Farinacci-era alumni to host reunion concert

It has been nearly a half-century since John F. Farinacci directed instrumental music programs at Cleveland Heights High School. Yet many who played in his bands and orchestras from 1949 until 1964 still celebrate this dynamic teacher and tough, but fair, taskmaster who demanded excellence from his musicians—and got it.

On Nov. 12, at 7 p.m., in the Dina Rees Evans Auditorium of Heights High, many "Farinacci-era" students will again make music together. They have been invited to join current Heights High musicians in their fall concert, under the direction of Brett Baker and Dan Heim, directors of the instrumental music department.

A highlight of the evening is expected to be John Philip Sousa’s "Stars and Stripes Forever," complete with flag, piccolos and brass—just as the concert band performed it during the Farinacci era. Tickets will be available at the door. Ticket sales from the event will benefit the school’s instrumental music program.

According to the organizers, the reunion of John Farinacci’s former students is dedicated to the memory of the teacher "who spread the art and love of music wherever he went with fire, with deep understanding, and with an unabashed passion for teaching others how to make music soar . . . He lives on in all of us."

The alumni are also establishing the John F. Farinacci Award—a scholarship for music lessons to be awarded to a deserving freshman or sophomore in the instrumental music department.

During his 16 years at the helm of the Heights instrumental music program, Farinacci conducted concert bands and orchestras that consistently received superior ratings for their performances in Music Education Association contests on both the state and national levels. During school breaks in the spring, John Farinacci took his music groups on tours to cities across the country. The orchestra even played at Severance Hall.

Farinacci’s mentorship meant even the most to those who became professional musicians and teachers, often emulating what they had learned from him.

"Being a professional classical musician, I now appreciate John Farinacci’s constant striving for perfection," said Alan Schackne, a 1963 graduate.

"John Farinacci was a mentor to me. He’d swear at me in Italian, tell me to practice some more, swear at me some more, and ‘wink’ every once in a while when I managed to make it through a solo passage," recalled Mary Ellen McEwan Slone, (graduated January, 1960). "But most of all, he was a kind, amazing man."

"I’m still learning from Mr. Farinacci—remembering some things, relearning others, and reinterpreting things that I didn’t get quite right the first time," said Dick Rose (1959), who, along with Margaret Walker (1960), spearheaded the musical tribute and weekend-long reunion of Farinacci musicians.

"He lit his [students’] fires, honed their intelligence and encouraged them to explore new avenues of knowledge," said Dr. Albert Abramovitz, former superintendent of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District.

Some recall that what they gained from meeting the expectations of a demanding director was far greater than just an appreciation for good music.

"Under Mr. Farinacci, I learned there would be inevitable ups and downs, and I had better be prepared to accept and deal with them," said Dennis Shere (January, 1959), who played in the concert band until his senior year, when he decided his future was in journalism, not music.

"John Farinacci helped shape my character far beyond music as he helped us mature into adults," added Nevaire Serajian Rich (1963).

The weekend tribute to John Farinacci, who also served as a Heights High administrator and died in 2005, will include a reunion dinner and reception. Alice Farinacci, his widow, and four of their five children and their families are expected to participate in the celebration and tribute.

The organizers have been planning the event for more than two years. They set out to contact the more than 1,500 students who had played in the concert and marching bands, and symphonic orchestras during the Farinacci era. Attendees are coming from across the country.

For questions or last minute information, please contact Dick Rose (1959) at rarose@rose-vintage-instruments.com or by phone at 614-861-3312.