The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Features

January 28, 2008

'I love what I do' | McCort grad leads music program in New York

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

At New York City’s Riverdale Country School, Patrick Romano is known for being passionate about what he teaches.

The former Upper Yoder Township man works with the entire choral music program from grades 6-12 at the private preparatory school.

“Some days are crazier than others,” Romano said. “I teach five classes at Riverdale, from those just starting out, who have never sung and can’t read music, to those who are more advanced.”

Romano has 45 students in his new honors chorus from grades 10 and 11 and said his a cappella chorus is the most popular group in the school.

Both groups require potential members to pass an audition.

“A cappella groups have become like a cult,” Romano said. “Colleges, especially Ivy League, have a cappella groups that go on tour and make recordings. Students want to be in high school groups so they can get into one in college.”

Romano usually has 50 to 60 students in each of his classes, with one group numbering 80 students.

The classes are not required curriculum, but students keep coming back year after year.

“They usually have an interest in singing,” Romano said. “If these classes were required, it would create problems. They all choose to be here.”

Romano said he prefers to get to know his students as more than singers.

“I have a relationship with them that’s not textbook,” Romano said.

“They feel they can be comfortable with me, but I also remind them who the teacher is.”

Romano believes his students, who can be discerning, respect passionate teachers.

“I think students react better to a teacher who gets excited about what they do,” Romano said. “I’m extremely passionate and tend to be excitable.”

Romano is so well-liked by his students that they dedicated the 100th anniversary edition of the school’s yearbook to him last year.

On the dedication page, students recalled Romano’s passion, energy, focus and enthusiasm.

They mentioned his penchant for leaping onto a chair to get a section to sing louder or with more energy, his tirades and tantrums and his strong, clear voice guiding them in all their parts.

“He only wants us to sound as good as we can,” they said. “And thanks to him, we do.”

Romano’s vocal students now number 252, a considerable increase from the handful of students he began with in 1993.

“When I first started, it hardly existed,” Romano said of today’s thriving choral program at Riverdale. “After three months, I almost quit, but I was encouraged to stay. Year after year, it got bigger.

“I love what I do, and it wore off on them.”

In addition to teaching five days a week at Riverdale, Romano leads a high school choir in a pre-college program at The Juilliard School every Saturday and works with a women’s ensemble and chamber choir at Sarah Lawrence College on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

From the end of June through August, Romano serves as choral conductor to gifted students at the Itzhak Perlman Summer Music Program, a position he has held since 1997.

He also attends the Perlman program in Sarasota, Fla., in December.

“I have no life,” Romano added.

Before starting his teaching career, Romano was tenor soloist with the Waverly Consort, an internationally renowned renaissance ensemble.

He also has performed with various other organizations and chamber ensembles.

Now, Romano rarely has the opportunity to sing as a soloist.

In 2001, Romano was presented with the distinguished alumnus award from the school of music at West Chester University, Chester County, where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in voice and conducting.



Patrick Romano

What: Head of the choral music program at Riverdale Country School, New York.

Residence: Riverdale, N.Y.

Education: 1972 graduate of Bishop McCort High School; received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Chester University, Chester County.

Family: Son of Patrick Jr. and Mary Anne Romano of Upper Yoder Township.

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