Highland Winds Clarinet Quartet
Dr. Thomas McKay- clarinet, bass clarinet, and saxophone, is a professor of philosophy at Syracuse University where he has taught since 1973. He has performed with the Bear Cat Jass Band, Stan Colella Orchestra, Lake Effect Winds, Central New York Jazz Orchestra, Syracuse Symphony, as well as freelanced throughout the Central New York. Tom studied clarinet with Joseph Gigliotti in Philadelphia. He earned degrees from Swarthmore College and the University of Massachusetts.
Thomas Soccocio- clarinet, is an instrumental music educator in the public schools. As a long-standing member of the American Federation of Musicians, he has had the opportunity to perform with many orchestras and bands in the central New York area. Some of these include the Stan Colella Orchestra, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and local back-up orchestras for entertainers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormey, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, as well as many Syracuse Stage productions to name a few. While in the military, Mr. Soccocio performed as a member of the 82nd Army Band and the Seventh Army Band in Stuttgart, Germany. Mr. Soccocio remains active as a freelance musician throughout Central New York. as well as a studio teacher of clarinet, flute, and saxophone at The Highland School of Music and Art. He is a graduate of the United States Naval School of Music and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education and a Master of Music in Woodwind Performance from Ithaca College.
Edward O'Rourke- clarinet & saxophone, holds the degrees of Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Music Education from Syracuse University, and has done graduate study at the Boston Conservatory of Music. He was a student of Gerald Zampino, David Glazer, and Atillio Poto. Mr. O'Rourke performs with the Central Winds Music Educators Wind Ensemble and the Skaneateles Community Band. He has performed as clarinetist, Saxophonist, and/or Conductor of the Liverpool American Legion band, the Rhythmaires, Syracuse University Summer Band, Lafayette Community Band, Onondaga Civic Orchestra, and Satin & Brass. Mr. O'Rourke has taught in the Syracuse City Schools since 1977 and has been a music educator for thirty-four years. He is currently Treasurer and Benefits Administrator of the Syracuse Teachers Association, and has recently retired as executive Secretary Treasurer of the Onondaga County Music Educators Association. Mr. O'Rourke holds professional memberships in the National Band Association, MENC, NYSSMA, OCMEA, and NYSBDA.
John Flaver- clarinet, bass clarinet, is a retired music educator from the Westhill Central Schools. He earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from Temple University, and a Master of Music Degree from the Catholic University of America. John is a former member of the United States Army Band, “Pershings Own” in Washington, D.C., the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and the Lake Placid Center Orchestra. He is a former Visiting Lecturer in Clarinet at Ithaca College. His teachers were Robert Schmidt, Anthony Gigliotti, and Edward Lisk. Presently, he is an adjunct professor of music at LeMoyne College, performs with The Highland Winds, Rome Clarinet Trio, and maintains a private clarinet studio.
Left to right: John Flaver, Dr. Thomas McKay, Thomas Soccocio, Edward O'Rourke