Joseph A. Mariano - Of Centerville, formerly of Rochester, NY, retired Professor of Music at Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York, February 15, 2007. Beloved husband of the late Anne (Grapensteter) Mariano. Devoted father of Kristine Vezza and her husband Albert of Weston and Kelly Babcock and her husband James of Grantham, NH. Loving grandfather of Michael Vezza of Weston, Amy Vezza of Framingham, Catherine Burt of Fairlee, VT and Christina Soulia of Colorado. Great Grandfather of Graziella and Bellina Vezza.
As a young child, Joseph and the whole Mariano family adored opera, and as payment for a job, his father was given a flute. The instrument intrigued young Joseph, who started lessons at the age of twelve. He enrolled at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and studied with William Kincaid and Marcel Tabuteau, completing his studies in 1933. A year later he was hired as principal flutist of the National Symphony for its 1934-1935 season. The following year he was invited by Kincaid to fill the Philadelphia Orchestra's second flute vacancy, at the same time Howard Hanson invited him to fill dual roles of Professor of Flute at the Eastman School and principal flutist in the Rochester Philharmonic. He went to Rochester and found enjoyment, great success, and fulfillment for the next thirty nine years - he played with many of the great conductors of his time and toured widely with the Rochester Philharmonic. He was considered one of the legendary American flutists and teachers of the mid-twentieth century. In honor of his ninetieth birthday The National Flute Association issued a CD of his best recorded works in Volume Two of the Association's Historic Recording Series.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., (Rt 16) WELLESLEY, on Tuesday at 10:00 AM. Funeral mass in St. Julia's Church, Weston, at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Monday 6-8 PM. Interment Linwood Cemetery, Weston. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in Joseph's memory to the Joseph A. Mariano Flute Scholarship Fund Eastman School of Music.