Mansfield orchestras will honor ‘Eddie’ Chiudioni

W

hen Joan Chiudioni goes out these days, she inevitably runs into someone who knew her late husband, Eddie. They always have something nice to say about him.

Obviously, Ettore “Eddie” Chiudioni, who passed away March 12 at the age of 77, touched many lives. In recognition of the impact he had in local music circles, the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra and the Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra will pay tribute to him at their concerts this weekend.

“This concert is one of the most important we’ve done. We are honoring a very great man who left an incredible legacy,” Renaissance Director of Operations Chelsie Thompson said. “The very best way to honor the memory of Eddie Chiudioni is to play some of the most beautiful music ever written.”

Saturday’s 8 p.m. concert, under the baton of Maestro Thomas Hong, will feature Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5,” as well as Brahms’ “Tragic Overture.” Joining Hong on the Renaissance stage will be celebrated cellist Desmond Hoebig, playing Haydn’s “Concerto in D.” Hoebig was formerly the principal cello of the Cleveland, Houston and Cincinnati symphony orchestras.

The highlight of Sunday afternoon’s Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra tribute will be the string section performing “Traumerei” by Robert Schumann, in memory of Chiudioni, the youth orchestra’s founder and conductor. The word traumerei means dreams in German, and that is why it was selected for the concert — because the youth orchestra was Chiudioni’s big dream come true.

A legendary figure

Chiudioni was principal trumpet player for the Mansfield Symphony for 55 years, as well as a public school music teacher who inspired three generations of students during a 32-year career. He had a long list of private students and worked with countless participants in the Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra, which he conducted for 24 years.

“People stop me to tell me they were former students or they played in the orchestra or that he played at their weddings. It’s so comforting to hear the wonderful things people remember about him. I am so proud of all he accomplished,” said Joan, a violinist in the Mansfield Symphony for many years.

Percy Hall, another legend in Mansfield music circles, dates his friendship with Eddie Chiudioni to the late ’50s, when both began their public school teaching careers.

“We both played in the Mansfield Symphony, such as it was at the time, and now the rest is history,” Hall said. “First and foremost, Eddie was a good family man. He was an outstanding trumpet player and religiously found time to keep on top of his skills to hold down the principal trumpet position in the Mansfield Symphony for so many years.”

More than an accomplished musician

“He was an outstanding trumpet teacher as well,” Hall said. “He took pleasure in the successes of his students, many of whom have become professional performers and teachers themselves.

“Eddie was an outstanding school band and orchestra director, too. He inspired his students and pushed them to the limits of their abilities. He showed a genuine interest in them personally and rewarded progress with compliments.”

Lexington High School junior Natalie Tasseff appreciated Chiudioni’s professional, yet relaxed teaching style. She has been in the Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra for three years.

“He always made me feel motivated and involved. He was very enthusiastic and he transferred that to us. If we struggled with a piece, he would tell us not to worry, we would get it,” said Tasseff, who plans to continue playing in an orchestra when she goes to college.

Instilling a lifelong love of music was one of Eddie Chiudioni’s proudest accomplishments, according to his widow, Joan. Their daughters, Kimberly and Kelli, studied violin in their student days and continue to play.

Greatest achievement fulfilled

“Possibly Eddie’s greatest achievement — and I think he would agree — is the Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra,” said Hall. “It was his dream that Mansfield should boast a quality youth orchestra capable of performing standard symphonic music. Organizing. rehearsing and conducting the youth orchestra was his pride and joy and fulfillment of his dream.”

Sharing his talent

Chiudioni didn’t limit his talents to conducting, teaching or performing with the Mansfield Symphony. He also enjoyed solo gigs at weddings throughout the state.

Port Clinton resident Dick Sweeney, who taught with Eddie Chiudioni for three years at Malabar High School, asked him to play at the weddings of both of his children.

His daughter, Meghan, was a fashion designer in New York City.

When she married Jon Langston at the Catawba Island Club in 2003, she didn’t want traditional wedding music.

She asked Chiudioni to play “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” on his trumpet for the processional and “New York, New York” as she and her groom walked back down the aisle for the outdoor reception on the shores of Lake Erie.

It was a big hit, said Sweeney, especially with his Irish-loving family and the couple’s friends from New York.

Sweeney recalled his son, Matt; and bride, Jenni Rogers; asked Chiudioni to play at their wedding, too. Their music selections for the 2005 ceremony at the New Albany Country Club were more traditional and Chiudioni complied on his beloved trumpet.

No matter how large his audience or their age, Chiudioni enjoyed sharing his talent throughout his lifetime.

“I believe the fondest memories we shared were the planning and performing of the educational concerts, both the ones performed by the entire symphony and the three small ensembles: brass trio, woodwind trio and string quartet. What a joy to witness the enthusiastic response to those programs,” Hall said.

Hall called his colleague a “guiding light and driving force” in the development of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra from a fledgling organization for the enjoyment of its members to the fully instrumented professional symphony it is today.

If You Go

Mansfield Symphony Orchestra: Shadows and Light: Tchaikovsky and Haydn

• When:

8 p.m. Saturday

• Where:

Renaissance Theatre, 138 Park Avenue West

• Tickets:

$37, $32 or $27

• Details:

419-522-2726 or www.mansfieldtickets.com

Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra

• When:

4 p.m. Sunday

• Where:

Renaissance Theatre

• Tickets:

$10 for adults, $5 for students

• Details:

419-522-2726 or www.mansfieldtickets.com