For those of you I haven't met yet, my name is Vinny LaMonica.  My family moved to Ashford when I was two, and I have lived here ever since, except for my time in Boston and Chicago for grad school.  I hold degrees in Music Performance from UConn, Boston University, and Northwestern University.  My primary work is as an orchestral bassoonist and contrabassoonist (you can see me play those instruments on the Videos & Recordings page), but I have been teaching general music and band for several years, and I am so excited to be here at Union School!

Here are some links to other schools, organizations, and ensembles I am a part of, for those of you who are curious!

Doclé Reed Quintet - This is a Chicago-based chamber ensemble I run and perform in.  We do tours, recording sessions, and competitions.  The "reed quintet" is made up of oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bass clarinet, and bassoon.

Quiet Corner Music Studio - This is my teaching and audio-video recording studio in Ashford.

Women Composers Festival of Hartford - This is a yearly festival celebrating amazing women composers.  I was just recently appointed to the Board of Directors and am spearheading efforts to bring the Festival to a broader online audience and to bring the Festival into school programs through educational outreach!

The Hartt School (University of Hartford) - I teach collegiate music education classes as well as community programs for high school musicians.  The Hartt School has great offerings for middle- and high- school students through the school year and over the summer!

Babcock Cornet Band - Ashford's Babcock Band is the oldest band in the country!  The band was endowed with its current name in 1860, but the band has documentation all the way back to April of 1775.  It's a fun, easy-going group that I conduct.  We do four or five concerts a year.  High schoolers who perform with us get free lessons with me at the Quiet Corner Music Studio!  Our website isn't live yet - email me at BabcockBand@gmail.com for more info or to get involved.

East Woodstock Cornet Band - The East Woodstock Cornet Band runs from March to September each year, and plays a dozen or so concerts through the summer, ending with an annual performance at the Woodstock Fair.  The EWCB was formed in 1893 and is still going strong!

Laurel Music Camp - Laurel Music Camp is the oldest music camp in Connecticut.  It is held for one week near the end of June at the beautiful Camp Workcoeman out in New Hartford.  We accept anybody who just finished Grades 8 to 12, and there is a Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, and Chorus.  LMC is one of the most affordable overnight camps you can find!  It's not an intimidating place - all are welcome.  Our motto is "Fellowship Through Music."

Contact Mr. LaMonica via email at vlamonica@unionschool.net.