Anthony Maddonni

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Mr. Anthony Maddonni. In the 70's I received private lessons as a percussionist from Mr. Maddonni. He was very talented and highly recommended by many music teachers in the Norristown Area School District, especially Carl McLean and Thomsas Brey. Lessons were once per week in his basement (but I never did get a chance to swim in the private pool in his backyard - boy was I envious) - and Mr. Maddonni helped me to "build", piece by piece, my first drum set.

As I was entering high school, and joining the Norristown Area High School Marching Band, I took to the "Triple Drums" (marching Timpani) in part because I was the only one foolish enough to volunteer to carry them (about 40 lbs.). Mr. Maddoni's emphasis on "percussion" rather than "trap set" meant that I did well with my heavy burden and a little showmanship made for a good display - and they were plenty loud.

Mr. Maddonni also introduced me to the "professional" side of music. With a referral from Mr. Maddonni, and his help in securing a musician's union card in about 48 hours, I made a few dollars on the side marching and playing drums with the M.S.S. Band on a few feast days down in Norristown. White shirt, black pants, a thin black tie, a black policeman-style hat, and I was by at least 20 years the youngest person in the band. We had a boisterous bass drummer who would break formation from his position at the front of the band (a strange place for a bass drummer, but, the name of the band was clearly imprinted on the skin of the drum), walk to the middle and back of the musical formation, and bellow out several times, above the din of whatever we were playing, what the next song would be. Simply hysterical, but my parents were proud.

I just wanted you to know how very much I remember Anthony Maddonni. And I pray that he is enjoying many jam sessions in Heaven.

- Joseph Criscuoli
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