October 14 , 2004 Print this page

La Salle University’s Jazz Band
Has Three Generations Making Music

Jazz Band leader Joseph Ciccimaro (center) poses with his daughter
Samantha, (left), a La Salle senior, and granddaughter, Caitlin Immerman (right),
a La Salle freshman. Joseph Ciccimaro is a 1961 graduate of La Salle.

This year, there’s more going on at the La Salle jazz band practices than the making of music. Twice a week a legacy is perpetuated, as three generations create music together in one room. Band director Joseph Ciccimaro is the father to band member Samantha Ciccimaro, and grandfather of Caitlin Immerman.

Samantha Ciccimaro, a senior, is the youngest child of Ciccimaro’s second marriage. Immerman, a freshman, is the daughter of Ciccimaro’s oldest child from his first marriage. The two play the saxophone and trumpet, respectively.

Joseph Ciccimaro was graduated from La Salle in 1961 with an English/Education degree. He plays most of the reed instruments, such as clarinet and bassoon, and is head of the music department at La Salle College High School. He has also played in productions at the Academy of Music and the Merriam Theater since college.

Ciccimaro said he didn’t push his daughter and granddaughter to attend La Salle. “It’s amazing. Nobody can appreciate it,” he said. “It’s a legacy. I wasn’t disappointed when they told me they were coming. It’s a great institution. Sam has loved it. I’m happy with the education they’re getting. You’re ready for whatever they give you here.”

“As for the band, I didn’t pressure them to join,” he added. “My daughter Alexis (another La Salle graduate) decided she wasn’t going to play in college. That was fine. I’m not trying to push people too much. They’re not braggarts about how good they are.”

The jazz band rehearses twice a week, and plays at University functions and also perform at schools, retirement homes and an area orphanage.

Samantha Ciccimaro, who has six nieces and nephews, is a Mathematics major and has been playing the trumpet for 13 years. She also performs regularly with a group called SDH (So Damn Hot) Big Band, whose 18 musicians perform everything from jazz to salsa in venues around Philadelphia.

As for being an aunt (or ‘half-aunt’) at 21, she says she likes being looked up to.

“It’s better for Caitlin than it is for me,” she says. “I like helping her out. We hang out sometimes.”

Immerman has been playing the flute and piccolo for eight years and began learning the saxophone several months ago at the encouragement of her grandfather.

A Special and Elementary Education major, Immerman made the decision to attend La Salle on her own.

“I wanted to be away from home, but still near Philly,” she said. “And La Salle has a really good Education program.”

She said that her relationship with Samantha is more like a friendship.

“She’s more of a true aunt to the younger ones,” said Caitlin. “She buys them presents on holidays. But our grandfather takes care of us, too.”

The women enjoy the fact that their dad and grandfather is the band director.

“I have always loved music and my dad as the director was actually more of a plus than anything else,” said Samantha Ciccimaro. “I would say it’s a plus because I feel comfortable. I never feel nervous. And its nice keeping touch with him so much while I am in college. We have a stronger relationship because of the band.”

“It’s not often that a parent gets to see their child interact with their peers as well as work with them on an almost student/teacher level,” she continued. “He has seen me develop and improve over the years, and I am glad he was a part of those changes. I have never felt pressure, except any that I put on myself to make him proud.”

-- Lauren Fritsky