Cleveland Heights - University Heights City School District

It has been nearly a half century since John F. Farinacci directed instrumental music programs at Heights High. Yet many who played in his bands and orchestras from 1949-1964 still celebrate the dynamic teacher. On November 12 at 7 p.m., many “Farinacci Era” students will again make music together. They will join current Heights musicians, under the direction of Brett Baker and Dan Heim, in their Fall Concert. Tickets are available at the door.

The performance will include John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” complete with the flag, piccolos, and brass as performed during the “Farinacci Era.”

“Our presence at the reunion concert attests to the influence a great music program and a great director can have on its students,” Margaret (Killmeyer) Walker, class of 1960, said. “The love of music and the spirit of John Farinacci lives on in all of us and reaches out to the current IMD students.”

The Alumni Band and Orchestra includes more than 50 alumni from many Heights classes who will travel from 18 states and Canada for the performance. Many of the alumni are professional musicians and members of The Cleveland Orchestra, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, The Nashville Wind Ensemble, The Kalamazoo Symphony, and others.

The alumni have established the John F. Farinacci Scholarship Award to provide music lessons for a deserving student.

The homecoming event also includes a reunion dinner the night before the concert with over 170 alumni and spouses.

Pictures of Mr. Farinacci teaching and conducting are available on the web site at http://www.farinacciatheights.org/Photo.html

Visit Ken Glickman's blog about the Farinacci Concert.