The world of local music lost a great friend and leader last month.
Albert J. Nacinovich, beloved music teacher and long-time director of Williamsport’s Repasz Band, passed away peacefully on Feb. 18. He is survived by two daughters, two granddaughters, a great-granddaughter and his wife of 62 years, Alice.
Now nearing its 200th anniversary, the Repasz Band — founded in 1831 — may well be the oldest community band in the nation. At his retirement in 2019, Al had served as the ensemble’s conductor for 37 years, the longest single tenure in Repasz’s storied history.
Al led the band through thousands of rehearsals and hundreds of concerts, including well-attended spring and holiday shows at the CAC year after year.
Having played for soldiers during the Civil War, the Repasz Band was also invited, under Al’s leadership, to perform at the rededication of Grant’s Tomb in Manhattan in 1997. The group likewise played at the 2015 sesquicentennial honoring Lee’s surrender to Grant in Appomattox, VA; Repasz had performed at the original surrender in 1865.
During Al’s tenure, the ensemble earned the prestigious Sudler Scroll from the John Philip Sousa Foundation and saw the erection of a permanent historical marker honoring the band. The latter, one of those well-known blue-and-yellow plaques, stands near the bandshell in Brandon Park, where the group often played.
Al held a B.S. and an M.S. in music education from, respectively, Mansfield University and Ithaca College. From 1960 to 1996, he taught music and directed a variety of programs in the Williamsport Area School District.
In addition to countless private lessons, he was three-year president of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and later served as adjunct professor at Lycoming College. Al also sang in the St. Boniface Church choir and founded Williamsport’s New Horizon Band for senior citizens.
In 2022, Albert J. Nacinovich received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Lycoming County United Way.
But these impressive accomplishments represent only part of the great man’s legacy. For those who knew him, Al is remembered as a deeply gracious and dedicated mentor, friend and music-lover.
Walt Straiton, former Director or Orchestras at Williamsport Area High School, recalled his one-time co-worker as “the consummate artist on and off the podium, in addition to being one of the greatest gentlemen I’ve ever known.”
Lycoming College Band & Orchestra Director Bill Ciabattari told Webb, “I’ve had him in to conduct my students many times, and he always delivered passionate and sincere musical expression. It was enriching to me and my students every time.”
And here are some of the many fond tributes posted at the Sanders Mortuary website:
“A love of music and a real appreciation of musical ability. He encouraged everyone, even musicians of limited ability.” –Edward Maley
“The world was a better place with him.” –Rodney & Betty Gohl
“Any musician who spent time in Al’s company became both a better musician and a better person.” –Dave & Peg Bross
“He was an excellent musician, but more than that, a friendly and wonderful person.” –Daniel Havrilla
“He was legendary as a demander of giving your best for the music, but also as a friend to all.” –Tracy J. Betts
“I always admired his positive work ethic. … He certainly left his mark on thousands of school, community and professional musicians.” –Jeff Dugan
In the words of Repasz conductor Jeff Dent, to whom Al literally passed the baton in 2019: “We are all students of Mr. Nacinovich. He taught us the basics of music, the details of music and the fine art of becoming musicians. But most of all he taught us to love music, no matter what it was; it was music and life.”
And here’s Repasz Business Manager Mrs. Judith Shellenberger, who knew Al for more than 50 years: “He was passionate about teaching. He was kind, taught with compassion and knew how to bring out the best in every student.”
At a concert on Al’s 25th anniversary with Repasz, the in-program notes cited his “great range and depth of musical experience, his above-and-beyond-reproach professionalism and musicianship, his vast knowledge and ability in the bandsman’s art, his self-effacing humility, and lustrous common decency on stage and off.”
And finally, in the words of local educator, composer and long-time Repasz trumpeter David Bailey: “He was mentor to thousands of young musicians, loving husband and father and possibly the kindest man I’ve ever known.”
To paraphrase a popular ’70s hit song, if there’s a “musicians’ heaven,” I’m sure they’ve got a bunch of great bands.
I bet Al is already conducting one of them.
