I was at WCSU where I was working on my Anthropology and Sociology degree.
I was a member of the music union, working as a full time musician and teaching music.
I approach the head of the music department and I asked if I could study classical guitar. He said no! I found the classical guitar teacher Phillip de Fremry and asked him if I could take lessons with him for no credit. His answer was yes. Phillip is a great classical guitarist. After a short period Phillip was replaced by Geofrey Bonenberger who did his graduate work at Yale. I study with him for a short time and during that time he was asked by the head of the music department if he had any guitar students that could read a Dave Brubeck score. He recommended me. The music department had been practicing for a year for this concert. I had two weeks to get it together. The concert included a symphony orchestra,chorus,two guitar players and Dave Brubeck's Quartet which included Jerry Bergonzi who is a great saxophone player. I got the gig because I was able to read a score that students in the guitar department could not read. I was paid by Dave Brubeck and they hired another guitar player from NYC. Ed Finaldi a friend of mind was in the orchestra he later did a recording session with me and we did some gigs together. He had a master degree in violin and he was a great person. Another friend of mine Guy played marimba. At that time I was playing in a rock band which did not include reading but because of my ability to read music I was able to play with one of my heroes.
Musically yours,
Vince Filogomo
I was a member of the music union, working as a full time musician and teaching music.
I approach the head of the music department and I asked if I could study classical guitar. He said no! I found the classical guitar teacher Phillip de Fremry and asked him if I could take lessons with him for no credit. His answer was yes. Phillip is a great classical guitarist. After a short period Phillip was replaced by Geofrey Bonenberger who did his graduate work at Yale. I study with him for a short time and during that time he was asked by the head of the music department if he had any guitar students that could read a Dave Brubeck score. He recommended me. The music department had been practicing for a year for this concert. I had two weeks to get it together. The concert included a symphony orchestra,chorus,two guitar players and Dave Brubeck's Quartet which included Jerry Bergonzi who is a great saxophone player. I got the gig because I was able to read a score that students in the guitar department could not read. I was paid by Dave Brubeck and they hired another guitar player from NYC. Ed Finaldi a friend of mind was in the orchestra he later did a recording session with me and we did some gigs together. He had a master degree in violin and he was a great person. Another friend of mine Guy played marimba. At that time I was playing in a rock band which did not include reading but because of my ability to read music I was able to play with one of my heroes.
Musically yours,
