VHS senior Giancarlo Cordasco has revolved his life around music.  Recently his commitment was rewarded when he was chosen for New Jersey’s  Region One Percussion Ensemble.

He says “that music has always been a big part of his life he enjoys it so much because of the way it sounds.”
As far back as fifth grade, Giancarlo knew he wanted was into music when he made the maroon band playing the drums. Throughout the rest of his middle school career from sixth grade to eighth grade he played in all three bands every year the maroon, gold and jazz bands.

In high school he made drum line his freshman year and all three years he was also on drum line for snare.  This year Giancarlo became drum line section leader and pit percussion leader. He made the chamber ensemble for region band, and takes lessons with the music teacher at VHS, Erik Lynch. He says that the marching band always followed one saying to push them through competitions and keep them focused:  “PPI” – which he says stands for “Pride Passion and Intensity.”

Throughout his high school career he has been a part of five different bands away from VHS. Last year he and his current band won Verona’s local Cops and Rockers competition, and they are hoping this year’s – cancelled due to bad weather  – is rescheduled so they can try to become repeat winners.  They have also performed at the famous Stone Pony in Asbury Park.

Interested in pursuing music in college, Giancarlo has had several college auditions – at William Paterson for jazz, and at Montclair. He has already gotten into William Paterson and Montclair and still has to audition for Rutgers.

Once he decides which school he wants to go to for music he plans to major in music education so he can become a music teacher.