Mell D. Csicsila: Vitae

Education:

• Professional Studies Program, The Cleveland Institute of Music, 1998-1999.
• M.M. Music Performance, Cleveland State University, 1997
• B.M. Music Performance, Cleveland State University, 1993
• Pre-College Study at The Cleveland Institute of Music, 1986-1988.

Principal Teachers:

• Percussion and Timpani
  • Richard Weiner (Cleveland Orchestra)
  • Donald Miller (Cleveland Orchestra)
  • Joseph Adato (Cleveland Orchestra)
  • Jay Burnham (Alabama Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra)
  • Paul Yancich (Cleveland Orchestra)
  • Bruce Collie (Ohio Chamber Orchestra, Cleveland Chamber Symphony)
• Drum Set
  • George Lawrence (Poco, Diamond Rio, Nashville & Muscle Shoals Studios)
  • Bob McKee (The Mike Douglas Show)
• Conducting
  • Howard Meeker (Cleveland State University)

Performance Experience

• Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Principal Percussion (also Timpani and Drums.) Since 1997 (Principal since 2002.)
• Warren Philharmonic Orchestra, Percussion and Timpani, Since 1997.
• Trinity Chamber Orchestra, Percussion and Timpani. Since 1997.
• Red {an orchestra}, Percussion (including Rotating Principal), Timpani, Drums. 2003-2008.
• Lyric Opera Cleveland, Percussion, Timpani, Drums. 2000-2006.
• The Robert Page/Cleveland Singers, Percussion and Timpani. 1994-1996.
• Symphonic performances with:
  The Cleveland Orchestra, Extra Percussion.
  American Ballet Theatre, Extra Percussion.
  Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Extra Percussion, Timpani.
  Cleveland Opera, Extra Percussion.
  Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Extra/Substitute Percussion, Drums.
  Youngstown Symphony, Extra/Substitute Percussion (incl. Acting Principal), Substitute Timpani, and Drums.
  Wheeling Symphony, Extra/Substitute Percussion and Substitute Timpani.
  Erie Philharmonic, Extra/Substitute Percussion.
  Mansfield Symphony, Extra/Substitute Percussion (incl. Acting Principal), Substitute Timpani, and Drums.
  Ashland Symphony, Extra/Substitute Percussion.
• Performances as a member of the Playhouse Square Orchestra:
  Local Musician for National Broadway Tours:

  • 2008: Wicked
  • 2007: The Light in the Piazza, The Drowsy Chaperone, Disney's "High School Musical"
  • 2006: Dr. Doolittle, Wicked, Monty Python's "Spamalot"
  • 2005: The Producers, Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors
  • 2003: 42nd Street, The Full Monty
  • 2002: The Producers
  • 2000: Titanic, Ragtime, Parade
  Performances backing: Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Steve and Eydie, Clay Aiken, Mitzi Gaynor, Dennis DeYoung, The Three Irish Tenors, Bob McGrath, Kansas, Collin Raye, and three "Colors of Christmas" Tours featuring Al Jarreau, Jeffrey Osborne, Melissa Manchester, Roberta Flack, Deniece Williams, Marilyn McCoo, Peabo Bryson, James Ingram, and En Vogue.
  Principal Percussionist for Playhouse Square Ballet Series with the Pennsylvania Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Ballet San Jose.
  Principal Timpanist for Playhouse Square Ballet Series with Ballets des Monte Carlo and American Ballet Theatre.
  Percussionist for Playhouse Square/Pittsburgh Light Opera Production of Bye, Bye Birdie (1999).
• Local Percussionist for the National Broadway Tour of "Wicked" at Shea's Buffalo Theatre, Buffalo, NY. June/July, 2008
• Local Percussionist for the National Broadway Tour of "Hairspray" at E.J. Thomas Hall, Akron, OH. September, 2005.
• Performances on vibraphone and percussion with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra with Sammy Nestico and Buddy Greco.
• Other Notable Performances:
  • On Percussion: Aretha Franklin with ice skater Scott Hamilton, The Moody Blues, Yes, Charo, Daniel Rodriguez (New York City's Singing Cop), Gary Puckett, The Child of the Promise Tour
  • On Drums: Charo, The Gaylords.
• Mercyhurst College's "Vienna in Erie" Orchestra, Principal Timpani. 2003-2005, 2008.
• The Sounds of Sousa Band, Principal Percussionist, Xylophone Soloist, and Assistant Conductor. 1993-1999.
• The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, Timpanist/Percussionist, 1986-1988. (Inaugural Member)
• The Akron Youth Symphony, Timpanist/Percussionist, 1985-1986.

Concerto Soloist Appearance

• Trinity Chamber Orchestra, Cleveland, Ohio. May, 25, 2005. Bertold Hummel's Aphorisms on BACH, Op. 105. U.S. Premiere
• Symphony West, Berea, Ohio. May 14, 2004. Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor RV 522. (with duo ANIME)
• Lakeland Civic Orchestra, Kirtland, Ohio. May 9, 2004. Toshiro Mayuzumi's Concertino for Xylophone and Orchestra.
• Parma Symphony, Parma, Ohio. December 3, 2000. Toshiro Mayuzumi's Concertino for Xylophone and Orchestra.
• Kent State Stark Concert Band, North Canton, Ohio. December, 1995. Paul Creston's Concertino for Marimba, Op 21b
• Cleveland State University Chamber Winds, OMEA Professional Conference-Columbus, Ohio. February, 1989. Karel Husa's Concerto for Percussion and Wind Ensemble.
• Cleveland State University Chamber Winds, Cleveland State University. November, 1988. Karel Husa's Concerto for Percussion and Wind Ensemble.

Novelty/Ragtime Soloist Experience

• Professional Ensembles:
  • Cleveland Pops Orchestra.
    • September 8, 2007. North Canton, Ohio. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia"
    • September 1, 2007. Elyria, Ohio. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia"
    • June 30, 2007. Westlake Crocker Park. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia."
    • June 4, 2005. Fairmount Temple. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia."
    • December 12, 2004. Old Stone Church. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia."
    • October 30, 2004. Avon Lake High School. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia."
    • October 22, 2004. Severance Hall. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia."
    • September 11, 2004. North Canton, Ohio. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia"
    • July 4, 2004. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia"
    • December 31, 2003. Severance Hall. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia."
    • November 15, 2003. Landerhaven Party Center. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia."
    • November 8, 2003. Avon Lake High School. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia."
    • October 26, 2003. Allen Theatre. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia." and Camille Saint-Saens/arr. Breuer "Dance Macabre."
    • October 22, 2003. Beachwood High School. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia." and Camille Saint-Saens/arr. Breuer "Dance Macabre."
  • Winds on the Lake
    • August 26, 2007. Gary Viebranz, conductor. George Hamilton Green's "Fluffy Ruffles" and Dmitri Kabalevsky's "Comedian's Galop."
  • Canton Concert Band.
    • July 25, 2007. Patti Olsson, conductor. George Hamilton Green's "Fluffy Ruffles"
    • July 14, 2004. Patti Olsson, conductor. George Hamilton Green's "Rainbow Ripples"
    • July 16, 2003. Patti Olsson, conductor. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia" and Dmitri Kabalevsky's "Comedian's Galop."
    • June 19, 2002. R. Chris Hall, conductor. Leroy Anderson's "Fiddle-Faddle."
  • Lakewood Hometown Band.
    • July 2, 2000. Norman Maneri, conductor. Norman Leyden's "Serenade for a Picket Fence."
    • July 4, 1999. Cmdr. Allen Beck, USN, conductor. George Hamilton Green's "Fluffy Ruffles" and Dmitri Kabalevsky's "Comedian's Galop."
    • June 27, 1993. Donald Santa-Emma, conductor. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia."
  • Concert Band of AFM #159. Dr. Mark Ellis, conductor.
    • June 28-July 1, 2000. George Hamilton Green's "Fluffy Ruffles," Joseph Green's "Xylophonia," and Dmitri Kabalevsky's "Comedian's Galop."
  • Stark Symphonic Winds. Dr. Robert Bayless and Dr. Patricia Grutzmacher, conductors.
    • June-July, 1997. 3 Performances, George Hamilton Green's "Fluffy Ruffles."
  • North Coast Festival Band. Donald Santa-Emma, conductor.
    • March 2, 1995. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia."
  • Firelands Symphony. J. Santos Perez, conductor.
    • March, 2-3, 1996. Joseph Green's "Xylophonia" and George Hamilton Green's "Rainbow Ripples."
  • Marcus Neiman and the Sounds of Sousa Concert Band.
    • 1994-1999. 47 Performances as soloist.
      Repertoire included: George Hamilton Green's "Rainbow Ripples," "Dotty Dimples," and "Fluffy Ruffles," Joseph Green's "Xylophonia," and Kenneth Alford's "Mac and Mac."

• College and School Ensembles:
  • North Canton Hoover High School Concert Band. Ron Varn, conductor.
    • January 23, 2004. BGSU New Music Reading Day. George Hamilton Green/arr. Werle "Rainbow Ripples."
  • Kent Stark Percussion Ensemble
  • All-Ohio State Fair Band
  • Lakeland Community College Concert Band
  • The College of Wooster Percussion Ensemble
  • Midpark High School Band

• Community Ensembles
  • Shaker Heights Community Band
  • Ashtabula Symphonic Band
  • Mercer (PA) Community Band
  • North Royalton (OH) Community Band (2 appearances as soloist)
  • Medina (OH) Community Band
    • 1993-1999. 15 appearances as soloist.
      Repertoire included: George Hamilton Green's "Rainbow Ripples," "Dotty Dimples," and "Fluffy Ruffles," Joseph Green's "Xylophonia," and Kenneth Alford's "Mac and Mac."

Conducting Experience

• Lakewood Hometown Band (AFM Local 4)
  • Conductor for August 7, 2005 Concert.
  • Conductor for August 11, 2002 Concert.
• Canton Concert Band (AFM Local 111)
  • Conductor for the August 3, 2005 Concert.
• Kent State University Stark Campus, 1995-2004.
  • Assistant Concert Band Director, Kent Stark Concert Band. 1995-2003.
  • Director, Kent Stark Percussion Ensemble. 1995-2004.
• OMEA District 8 Honors Percussion Ensemble, November, 1998.
• The "All-Ohio" State Fair Band. Assistant Director. 1995-2001.
• The Sounds of Sousa Concert Band, Assistant Conductor 1994-1999.

Teaching Experience

• College Teaching Experience
  • Adjunct Faculty: Cuyahoga Community College Western Campus, since 1995.
    • Teaching Duties: Applied Percussion Lessons
    • Conducting/Coaching Duties: Applied Instrumental Ensembles
  • Adjunct Professor of Music: Kent State University Stark Campus 1995-2004.
    • Teaching Duties: Applied Percussion Lessons, Percussion Class, Studio Class, University Orientation
    • Conducting Duties: Concert Band Assistant Conductor, Percussion Ensemble
• Private Lesson Studio Teaching
  • Cuyahoga Community College Community Arts and Music Program (CAMP), since 2004.
  • George's Drum Shop, Inc, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. 2004-2007.
  • Educator's Music, Inc, North Royalton, Ohio. 1993-2006.
• Summer Camp Faculty
  • Lakeland Community College: River Run Jazz in the Valley Camp, 2006. Rhythm Section Coach, Student Combo Coach.
  • Cuyahoga Community College: Discovery Music Camp, 2005. Drums and Percussion.
  • The Cleveland Institute of Music: Summer Music Camp for the Cleveland Municipal School District, 1999. Music Theory.
• Marching Band
  • The "All-Ohio" State Fair Band, Assistant Director and Percussion Instructor 1994-2001.
  • Assistant Marching Band Director, Akron City Schools, Ellet High School, 1989
  • Marching Percussion Advisor
    • Cloverleaf High School, 1999
    • Berea Midpark High School, 1993-1996
    • Euclid High School, 1992-1993
  • Band Camp Percussion Clinician
    • Chardon High School, 1997
    • Geneva High School, 1996
    • Highland High School, 1994
    • Amherst High School, 1993
    • Bedford High School, 1990

Recitals/Notable Performances

• Solo Recital: Jennings Center for Older Adults "Gateway to Culture" Series, August 11, 2007
• Solo Recital: Jennings Center for Older Adults "Gateway to Culture" Series, August 19, 2006
• Solo Recital: Jefferson (OH) Fine Arts Concert Series, February 2, 2003.
• Assistant Conductor: Kent Stark Concert Band at the 2003 OMEA/MENC North Central Convention. (Vincent Persichetti's "Psalm for Band.")
• Faculty Recitals: Cuyahoga Community College: 2002, 2003.
• Faculty Recitals: Kent State Stark Campus: 1998, 1999 (2), 2001, 2004.
• Guest Artist: Final concert of the 2001 International Native American Flute Association Convention with R. Carlos Nakai, Gary Stroutsos, and Peter Phippen.
• Kent State Stark Campus Kiosk Series: "The Drums of India with Umayalpuram Sivaraman" October 8, 2000
• Assistant Conductor: January 11, 1999 "All-Ohio" State Fair Band for the inauguration of Governor Robert Taft.
• The Marimba Festival Orchestra, Frederick Fennell, conductor. West Point, NY, March, 1998
• Chamber Recital: April 23, 1997, Percussion Duo with Donald Miller, Lecture/Recital Series, Stocker Center, Lorain County Community College.

Premieres and Commissions

• Bertold Hummel's Aphorismen uber BACH, Op. 105 for percussion and strings with the Trinity Chamber Orchestra and Dario Inginoli, conducting. May 25, 2005. (U.S. Premiere)
• Werner Jacob's In Sine Nomine.. II for organ, percussion, and winds with the University Circle Wind Ensemble, Werner Jacob, organ, Mell Csicsila, timpani and percussion, and Gary Ciepluch, conducting. AKI New Music Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Art, 1999. (World Premiere)
• Andrew Stoltz's Communion for drumset, vibraphone, and tape. October, 1997. (Commission)
• Clarence Barber's T for percussion duo. Premiere performance with Donald Miller at Lorain County Community College. April, 1997 (Commission)
• Sebastian Birch's Argentum for Silver Flutes and Silver Percussion. Commissioned by the Cleveland Museum of Art for the silverware exhibition "All That Glitters". Premiere performance with Cleveland Orchestra flutist Mary Kay Fink. Spring, 1995. (World Premiere)

Educational Projects and Activities

• In-Class and Concert Projects:
  • The Cleveland Orchestra Educational Activities Office.
    • Learning Through Music Project: Independent Teaching Artist. 2001-present.
      • 3rd Grade Program (2006): "Traveling with the Marimba." Two programs teaching concepts of maps, continents, countries and oceans through the travels and development of the marimba.
      • 4th Grade Program (2001): "Graphing Through Music." Two programs teaching line/bar graph concepts and their relationships with music and music notation.
      • 5th Grade Program (2003): "The Scientific Musician." Two programs that teach scientific method and scientific classification styles.
    • Musical Rainbow Series (both at Severance Hall and "On the Road")
      • "Partners in Percussion" 2008-present.
      • "Powerful Percussion" 2001-present.
      • "Kwanzaa" 1999-2002, 2004-present.
    • In-School Instrument Demonstrations for Elementary and Middle School Students. 2002, 2003.
  • The Cleveland Pops Orchestra
    • Solo presentation/performances introducing percussion instruments and music to Grades 1-3 in the Beachwood City Schools. January, 2003.
    • Guest Artist Lecture on arts careers to the students of John Marshall High School. May, 2004.
  • Dumbek Workshop for Richmond Heights High School Art Department.
    • A program teaching the basics of dumbek playing for student designed and constructed clay dumbeks. February, 2006.
  • "Sticks and Stones."
    • A solo lecture/performance introducing percussion instruments to 5-10 year olds for the Cuyahoga County Public Library's North Royalton Branch summer children's activity series. July, 2001.
  • The Education Enhancement Project.
    • Integrated Arts Project combining music and math and science through instrument building with 4th Grade Class of Linda Hodges, Memorial Elementary School, Barberton, Ohio. 1997
  • Percussion Ensemble Lecture/Performance/Presentations.
    • Presentation topics included introducing standard percussion instruments, making instruments, and making music on your own.
      • Berea Midpark High School
      • Springfield Young Elementary School
      • Spring Garden Waldorf School
• Clinics and Sectional Coaching:
  • Lutheran West High School Band Festival (Percussion Clinic/Band Conductor); March, 2003
  • Twinsburg Area Honors Band (Percussion Coach); January, 2002
  • OMEA District 8 High School Honors Band (Percussion Coach/Clinic); November, 2000.
• Lecture: "Percussion for Composers" Presented at Hiram College, Composition Class of Prof. Alissa Roosa. 1997
• Founder: The Kent Stark Percussion Ensemble Festival (1996, 1997)
  • A festival event where local high school percussion ensembles would come together for coaching and performance with The Cleveland Percussion Ensemble.

Contest Judging

• Large Ensemble Judging:
  • Educational Programs Incorporated: "Music in the Parks" (including concert bands, string orchestras, and jazz bands) 2006.
• Solo and Ensemble Contest Judging:
  • Greater Cleveland Conference High School Solo and Ensemble Contest (Percussion/Wind Chamber Music): 2001, 2003.
  • Greater Cleveland Conference Junior High School Solo and Ensemble Contest (Percussion/Wind Chamber Music): 1997, 1999, 2003.
  • Medina County Solo and Ensemble Contest (Percussion): 2000.
  • Lorain County Solo and Ensemble Contest (Percussion): 1994.
• Scholarship Competition Judging
  • Fortnightly Musical Club Scholarship Contest (Percussion/Piano): 1999, 2002, 2004.
  • Three Arts Club of Lakewood Scholarship Contest (Percussion): 1997, 2004.
• Other Contest Judging
  • George's Drum Shop Drum Solo Contest (Drum Set): 2004.

Conference Presentations

• "Recital Music for Student Percussion Duos" with duo ANIME. Percussive Arts Society Ohio Day of Percussion. April 17, 2004. Wright State University. Dayton, Ohio.
• "From the Field to the Concert Hall" with Thomas Fries. OMEA District 8 Convention. November 14, 1998. Kent State University Stark Campus. North Canton, Ohio.

Festivals/Masterclasses/Workshops

• Weekend Frame Drum Intensives with Glen Velez. Two weekend sessions covering basic tar, bodhran, overtone singing and the "Handance Method." Fall, 2002.
• Music at Penn's Woods Orchestra and Chamber Music Festival, Penn State University, 1998. (Timpani and Percussion)
• Robert Page Choral Conducting Workshop, Cleveland State University, 1994.
• Odenwald Festspiele (Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Solo Recital, Big Band), Gras-Ellenbach, Germany, 1992 and 1993. (Timpani, Percussion, and Drum Set)
• Cloyd Duff Timpani Masterclass, Colorado State University, 1993.
• Oberlin Percussion Institute, Oberlin College, 1991 and 1992.

Recordings:

• The Cleveland Chamber Symphony: Volume 4-5. TNC Recordings. TNC CD-1513-14. (2007 Grammy Award!)
• The Cleveland Chamber Symphony: Volume 6. TNC Recordings. TNC CD-1515.
• The Cleveland Pops Orchestra: Celebrating 10 Years of Music Live at the Pops. Independent Release. (includes Joseph Green's Xylophonia)
• Pastor Dr. C. Ronald S. Williams, II: My Soul Sings Hallelujah "LIVE". Clift-Christ Publishing.
• The Marimba Festival Orchestra: The Marimba Festival Orchestra: Featuring Bob Becker and Gordon Stout, Conducted by Frederick Fennell. Resonator Records.
• The Choir of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist: Ecce Agnus Dei. Independent Release
• Edwin London: Auricles, Apertures, Ventricles. New World Records 80477-2.
• The Cuyahoga Valley Brass Band: Metamorphosis. Independent Release.
• J. Blues: Come n' Get It. Antithesis Records ANTI-CD-0016.
• The Cleveland Percussion Ensemble: Percussion Wonderland. Independent Release.

Additional Recording Experience:

• The Cleveland Play House: Incidental Music by Larry Delinger: 2002, 2003, 2004.
• Dan Rager: "Symphony #1: Bridge to A Millenium."
• Ludwig/Masters Music Publishers: Promotional recordings for new music catalogs. (2008)
• Ludwig Music Publishers:
  • Promotional recordings for the music catalog. (1993, 2006, 2007)
  • Promotional recordings for the orchestra arrangements of Dr. Sandra Dackow. (1995)

Professional Organizations

• The American Federation of Musicians, Local 4 (Cleveland)
• The Percussive Arts Society