Professor Michael Morreale (at the piano) led alumni and students in a jazz recital at the Center for the Arts.

The Center for the Arts Recital Hall was alive with the sounds of jazz recently as CSI students and alumni, under the direction of Professor Michael Morreale, treated an audience of students, faculty, and staff to a recital.

Listen to excerpts from the  performance: Jazz_Alumni_1 and Jazz_Alumni_2.

The event was held in celebration of a gift of a music collection from the now defunct Staten Island Chamber Music Players to the Music Department and the Library, made in honor of former CSI President the late Edmond Volpe and his wife Rose, who were two of the Chamber Players’ earliest and most enthusiastic supporters.  The gift was facilitated by Georgiana Di Mauro, the former director of the Chamber Players. Although the gift of approximately 759 chamber music selections was made in 2009, the event called attention to the fact that the music has been cataloged and is now available to CSI students and faculty. 

When asked about the importance of the gift to the College, Prof. Morreale said, “It’s a significant benefit because it provides a wealth of music of various styles and genres for the students to use.” 

The program began with greetings from Music Program Coordinator Dr. David Keberle, who recognized Mrs. Volpe, who was in attendance. 

Then, Prof. Morreale and the student and alumni musicians took the stage to present a program of jazz compositions, standards, and original numbers to an appreciative audience. 

Commenting on how he felt about reconnecting with some of his former students, and playing with some of his current pupils, Prof. Morreale stated that the concert shows where [the Jazz Program has] come and what we’d like to maintain and improve upon. I’m so lucky to have these young musicians, many of whom I’ve played with professionally, in my life, as a result of CSI.” 

Joining Prof. Morreale were Alan Aurelia ’11, Rafael Calderon ’11, Casey Heuler ’09, David Immiti ’09, junior Joseph Lamanna, Ann Marie Nacchio ’09, and Isidore Ramkissoon ’07. 

Following the recital, Mrs. Volpe and the donors visited the CSI Library Special Collections to see the collection.