Page 19 - Phil Connections Magazine 4-2021 (1)_Neat

Phil MUSICIANS

Music is at the core of my being.

Today, Cicconetti shares her talent and passion across a range of roles. She is a dedicated and passionate
teacher who serves on the faculties at Powers Music School (where she also serves as chair of the Winds,
Brass and Percussion Department), South Shore Conservatory, and Milton Academy. During this past
year, as Cicconetti joined the virtual world of teaching, she came to rely on her student interactions for
her own wellbeing. “I was so grateful to see my students and to have a reason to take my instrument out
of its case.” Fortunately for her students, Cicconetti’s transition to online was fairly easy; she facilitated
online graduate music theory courses for Boston University in 2008, and taught oboe lessons via Skype
prior to the pandemic.

A member of the Plymouth Philharmonic, Mary also plays for the Cape Symphony and appears frequently
as guest with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and as guest principal oboist with the Boston Lyric
Opera Orchestra. The social component of playing is an important part of Cicconetti’s life. “I miss playing
in orchestra so much. It is about missing playing my instrument, but I miss seeing my friends.”

Find that thing you can pour your soul into.

As a community music teacher, Cicconetti believes in what she does, instilling in her students a lifelong
passion for music making. “You don’t have to become a professional musician—we do it because we love
it.” This same principle applies to her adult students, “if you’ve always wanted to play the oboe or another
instrument, go for it! It is great to find anything in your life, whatever it is--tennis, music—to pour your
soul into and have a hobby.”
While her passion for music is evident in Cicconetti’s stories and reflections, it is her playing of Poulenc’s
Oboe Sonata that conveys it. “The piece is so emotional. That I can put the instrument in my mouth and
blow and play and convey all those different emotions is the best thing in the world for me.”

Listen to the full

24-minute podcast

to hear Oboist

Mary Cicconetti play

and share her story.

CONNECTIONS PAGE 19