Jack Feierman

JACK FEIERMAN

Jack Feierman, 91, a trumpeter, arranger, composer and conductor, died on Jan. 19. He had been a member of Local 802 since 1956. Mr. Feierman earned his degree in music education at Eastman, but conducting was his passion. His career included 40 years of conducting orchestras in Pittsburgh, Denver, Dallas, Utah, Minnesota, Tulsa, New Orleans, Canton, Atlanta, Florida and even Melbourne, Australia. He also conducted the bands of Johnny Mathis, Sergio Mendez, Jose Feliciano, the Osmonds, the Lennon Sisters, Frank Sinatra (on a world tour) and Natalie Cole. For 22 years, he was the musical director for Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. He also played lead trumpet for Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Billy May and the Count Basie Band. He was especially proud of his performances for the royal family of England and for President Ronald Reagan.

Mr. Feierman recorded the music for numerous TV shows and also played on live award shows like the Emmys, Grammys and Golden Globes. He even played with Elvis during one TV appearance. For many decades, Mr. Feierman taught conducting techniques at the Dick Grove School of Music and the University of California (Los Angeles). Mr. Feierman was also a continuous member of the Steve Speigl Band as well as the Johnny Vana Alumni All-Stars. He was still playing at age 91, one week before his death.

Mr. Feierman is survived by his wife Judith, daughter Jackie and stepson Brad. A memorial is planned at AFM Local 47 (Los Angeles) at 817 Vine Street, Hollywood, Calif. on March 12 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Ronald A. Gould

RONALD A. GOULD

Ronald A. Gould, 87, the former principal percussionist with the New York City Ballet Orchestra, died last Dec. 5. He had been a member of Local 802 since 1945. Mr. Gould studied with Moe Goldenberg and Saul Goodman. Early in his career, he played at Catskills resorts and cruise ships. His work picked up when he starting playing TV shows, jobs at Radio City Music Hall and tours with Percy Faith, Tony Bennett, and Thomas Scherman and the Little Orchestra Society. Mr. Gould was a founding member of what later became known as the New York Percussion Trio, which commissioned new works for percussion by modern composers and also presented clinics to students of all ages. They played over 3,000 performances, appeared on TV, and released a recording and a film. Mr. Gould played with the Martha Graham Dance Company, the Joffrey Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre and the Casals Festival Orchestra. He was principal percussionist for the New York City Ballet Orchestra for 50 years, before retiring in 2005. He taught percussion privately and also at Nassau Community College. Many of his students went on to become professionals, including Michael Osrowitz, the principal percussionist of the New York City Opera. Mr. Gould is survived by his daughter Leslie Roselli and grandchildren Gabrielle, Hannah and Alexander. An online tribute book can be found at www.LanganFuneralHome.com.

Joseph A. Manso

JOSEPH A. MANSO

Joseph A. Manso, 85, a trombonist and a member of Local 802 since 1957 died on Jan. 5. Mr. Manso’s professional career really began in the Army, where he was drafted during the Korean conflict. He played trombone in the Army Band — which he also conducted — in Fort Hood, Texas. Later, Mr. Manso attended SUNY Potsdam, where he earned his bachelor’s degree from the Crane School of Music. He went on to complete his master’s degree at Columbia. Mr. Manso became the director of music of the Seaford Public Schools in Long Island, a job which lasted for more than 20 years. During this time, Mr. Manso also had a thriving private trombone studio and served as principal trombonist with the Suffolk Symphony, Massapequa Symphony, Nassau Symphony and American Concert Band. After he retired, the Seaford school system named the high school auditorium after him, in his honor. Mr. Manso then established what became known as the Seaford Community Band, which he conducted for more than 20 years. He also became director of the Marian Male Chorus and the Senior Pops Orchestra of Long Island. Mr. Manso “was not only an admired musician, conductor and teacher, he was also a father figure, mentor and, most of all, a dear and loving friend to countless people,” wrote his daughter Christy Marie in an e-mail to Allegro. Besides Christy, Mr. Manso is survived by his other daughters Lisamarie, Suzanne and Annamaria, his son-in-law Anthony and his grandson Mason. Mr. Manso was a devoted uncle to many nieces and nephews and was cherished by his “granddogs” Ruby and Sonny.

WE ALSO REMEMBER . . .

Charles BS Carman, saxophone
Morris Fant, drums
Edith Hirshtal, piano
Don Mulvaney, drums
Mariam Paige Segall, piano
Vincent Perrone, violin
Confrey A. Phillips, piano
Steve Tarshis, electric guitar
Alfredo Valdes Jr, piano