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RELEASED: Nov. 18, 2004
DANVILLE, KY—Professor and world-renowned musician Vince DiMartino has been named CASE Kentucky Professor of the Year. The announcement was made in Washington by the sponsoring organizations the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
DiMartino, Matton Professor of Music, joined the Centre faculty in 1993. He received a bachelor's and master's of music from the Eastman School of Music. Prior to joining Centre's faculty, he was Distinguished Alumni Professor of Trumpet at the University of Kentucky.
In addition to teaching, DiMartino has performed with such artists as Henry Mancini, Doc Severinsen, Pearl Bailey, Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder.
He is also a star performer at the Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville, which draws a crowd of approximately 50,000 annually.
After 31 years of teaching, DiMartino says, "The excitement of seeing people moving toward the realization of their musical goals remains invigorating and satisfying. The reward for teaching is knowing what you've done has made a difference in the future of your students."
Severinsen, the former Tonight Show band leader who has played with DiMartino many times, says the teacher is a strong role model for young musicians.
"He's an inspirational person who's used to working with young musicians," Severinsen says. "He always lights a fire."
One of the reasons DiMartino came to Centre was the opportunity to work with all types of students, from biology majors to political science majors, to those who might be music majors. Centre President John Roush says, "He works tirelessly to ensure that all of his students, no matter what their career aspirations, develop a love for music."
DiMartino continues to keep in touch with his students long after graduation and assists them in their professional endeavors.
One of his former students, Douglas R. Burian, now plays the trumpet and cornet in "The President's Own" United States Marine Band.
"It's been over eight years since I left Centre College, and he's still the first call I make if I have any questions about trumpet or music in general," Burian says. "I've worked with a number of outstanding performers and teachers, all of whom offer expertise in a wide range of areas, but none compare to Vince."
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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/
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