By voice or by sax, Jason Giacomazzo’s talent for music can be heard in all three of the Kennebec Performing Arts Company’s music groups.
The Farmingdale resident started with the regional group of volunteer musicians when he was just a fifth-grader, at the invitation of his school band director Chuck Millazo, playing saxophone in the wind ensemble and singing in the chorus.
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Millazo is beginning his 28th year with the performing arts company, directing both the jazz band and wind ensemble. Giacomazzo has been playing music under his direction since he was 11 years old.
Giacomazzo, 25, who grew up in Wayne, played with the performing arts company through high school, before leaving to attend the University of Southern Maine, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music performance.
After college he returned to resume playing and singing with Kennebec Performing Arts Company, and now rehearses and plays with all three of its groups — the jazz band, wind ensemble, and chorus.
“Now that he’s graduated and back in the area, he’s come back to perform with us again,” said Cindy Yachanin, president of the group of musicians who hail from central Maine communities ranging from Richmond to Skowhegan. “We’re lucky to have him. He’s a very talented musician; a talented young man.”
Giacomazzo plans to go back to college to earn a master’s degree in music performance or education.
Giacomazzo said he performs with all three group because he enjoys them all equally. He plays lead alto sax in the jazz band and wind ensemble, and can sing either tenor or baritone with the chorus.
“I like them all because there’s a vast difference between the chorus, jazz band and wind ensemble,” he said. “So it’s fun for us, as musicians, and for the audience that comes to listen. I’ve always enjoyed performing for the community.”
Kennebec Performing Arts Company has five upcoming concerts slated in central Maine. The jazz band and wind ensemble have holiday concerts, featuring holiday tunes as well as standards such as “Making Whoopie,” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” at 7 tonight and Saturday night at Cony High School in Augusta and the Winthrop Performing Arts Center, respectively.
The chorus performs Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Federated Church in Skowhegan, and twice on Dec. 11, at First Congregational Church in Waterville at 3 p.m. and at First Baptist Church in Manchester at 7 p.m. Their songs are expected to include “Amazing Grace,” “How Can I Keep from Singing,” and “Exultate Deo.”
Yachanin said the Kennebec Performing Arts Company is a nonprofit group with a goal of helping keep the arts alive in the capitol region.
She said they are not a professional group, but many of its musicians are music teachers, or play with other bands. She said their members include high school students and performers in their 80s.
“That just shows you never outgrow music — it crosses generations,” Yachanin said. “We love it.”
Keith Edwards — 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com
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