One of the legends in the flute-world, and a much loved teacher, has died. Many thanks to Leone Buyse who sent us the wonderful picture (...the image in our print issues came out much better than appears here! ...we're workin' on it....) - and the following obituary which was written by Joseph Mariano’s son-in-law (this one has also run in many newspapers).

There is much more information about him below here - full credit is due again to Leone Buyse who compiled the feature article about him in the special Summer 1985 issue of The Flutist Quarterly (that entire issue, actually, was devoted to a celebration of his many years of teaching and includes many stories from some of the special students who had worked with him). NFA members can also look forward, too, to a number of tributes in an upcoming Flutist Quarterly.

Also – and perhaps, especially: please take special note about the MARIANO SCHOLARSHIP FUND, as detailed below.

MARIANO, Joseph A. - 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, MA and Kelly Babcock and her husband James of Grantham, NH. Loving grandfather of Michael Vezza of Weston, Amy Vezza of Framingham, MA, 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. On his ninetieth birthday The National Flute Association honored him by issuing, a CD of his best recorded performances as Volume Two of the Association's Historic Recording Series. Interment was at Linwood Cemetery, Weston.

Donations in Joseph Mariano’s memory to the Joseph A. Mariano Flute Scholarship Fund at the Eastman School of Music would be most welcome! The goal is to build a large enough fund (through contributions) that it will be endowed in perpetuity, thus allowing an award in his name to benefit a flute student on a regular basis.

To donate online, please visit this page at the Eastman School: http://www.esm.rochester.edu/support/how.php -- checks are also welcome – please make them payable to: The Eastman School of Music, and send to: The Joseph Mariano Flute Scholarship, Development Office, 26 Gibbs Street, Rochester, NY 14604.

" "Who is that flutist?" ask students as they survey a particular photograph on my studio wall. "Joseph Mariano," I've replied numerous times, expaining further that he was professor of flute at the Eastman School of Music for thirty-nine years, principal flutist of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for thirty-three years, and my teacher for four years.

"Those basic facts stated, so much still remains to be said. Many of today's younger flutists are unaware of Mariano's vast legacy. Orchestras, college faculties, community music schools, and private studios throughout the United States are energized by the hundreds of wind players who came in contact with Joseph Mariano's unique sound and equally inspiring musical philosophy.

"Mariano's reputation and infuence extend far beyond American borders. The renowned English flutist William Bennett recounted in an interview with Eleanor Lawrence (NFA Newsletter, Fall, 1979) how greatly he admired Mariano's wide range of tone colors and how fortunate he felt as a nineteen-year-old to have met Mariano while passing through Rochester on an army band tour in 1955. Jean-Pierre Rampal has always spoken with highest respect of Mariano's work, and was delighted to meet him while in Rochester for a concert and master class in 1973. Aurele Nicolet has never met Mariano but, like Rampal, has always been very impressed with his student's tones, and reacts with much warmth and enthusiasm at the mention of Mariano's name.

"Described by Roger Stevens as "the most under-rated flutist, in proportion to his true worth, of my time," Joseph Mariano now lives in quiet retirement with his wife Anne on Cap Cod, painting and enjoying the myriad beauties that sky and seascape offer. His present lifestyle of peaceful seclusion provides a dramatic contrast to the demanding pace he maintained for decades during the course of his combined orchestral and teaching career.