Rotondi ’74 heads historic West Point band
What was intended to be a
short stint in the Army became a rewarding lifetime career for Tom
Rotondi ’74. Rotondi joined the military in 1977 and after several career moves was named commander
and conductor of the U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point last June.
The Band is the U.S. Army’s oldest active band with roots going back to
the Revolutionary War. Previously, Rotondi was commander and conductor of
the U.S. Army Band in Europe for four years, stationed in Heidelberg,
Germany.
“It’s satisfying to have the opportunity to work with such wonderfully talented
musicians,” he says. “Each of the musicians stationed with the U.S.
Military Academy Band is a virtuoso and a world-class performer. It’s a
treat listening to them every day. I’m also proud to be part of the rich
heritage and traditions that are part of West Point.”
Rotondi began training for his career at Millikin, where he played trumpet. He
credits the late Roger Schueler, professor of music, for teaching him the
importance of always being prepared and able to play all types of music
rather than focusing on one genre. He says that Schueler was a major
influence in his musical life.
Rotondi is friends with several Millikin alumni who coincidentally are also
members of the U.S. Army Band program.
“Very dear friends of my entire family are Chief Warrant Officer Kevin
Deary ’80 and his wife, Anne Sherrill Deary ’79. Kevin is
the director of officer leader development at the Army Element, School of
Music, in Norfolk, Va.,” he says. “Another close friend is Master
Sergeant Gary Johnson ’73, the saxophone
section leader at the U.S. Army Band (Pershing’s Own) in Washington,
D.C. And Gary’s wife, Mary Georgevits Johnson ’73, is
also a Millikin graduate.”
Yet another Millikin alum is even closer to home. Rotondi’s wife, the former Karen
Rumgay ’74, majored in art and English. They have one son, Will, who is a sophomore in high school.
Rotondi’s love for what he does hasn’t gone unrewarded. During his career, he has
received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and
the Army Achievement Medal, each signifying a job well done.
He has this to say to student musicians, “My advice is to learn all styles
of music, always work hard, remain flexible, think broadly and be patient.
We all had professional goals when we were attending Millikin. It wasn’t
until some years afterward that many of us really found our niche in the
music world whether it was teaching, performing or working in the various
areas of the music industry. Musicians have a special gift. It is an
important gift – a gift that must be shared.”
Read the complete profile of Tom Rotondi in the winter 2002-03 issue of Millikin Quarterly magazine,
due out in early December.
Listen online:
Listen online to the sounds of the U.S. Military Academy Band as they perform a
holiday concert on public radio Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. (EST). Click
to www.wabc.org and follow the instructions for listening online to the
music of the WAMC Performing Arts Studio.
