At one of our parties then president Bob Pavich had asked a singing group from the Iron Range Italian Club to come perform for us. That group was called "I Cantoroi". At our next regular club meeting president Bob Pavich suggested that our own Italian Club might be able to form our own singing group. This group started at the end of one of the regular Italian Club meeting back in 1982. Pasquale Iallonardo and Rudy Senich encouraged club members to stay after the meeting and learn a few Italian songs. After a few of these informal rehearsals Dave Campanario was asked to be the director since he was a music teacher. Using a pitch pipe we began to learn a few more Italian songs acappella. It didn't take long and we had enough music for about a twenty minute program. We started to go to a few nursing homes where we knew some Italian people were staying. That worked well for awhile but we soon noticed that after four or five songs in Italian, most people lost interest in listening. We started to sing some of our songs in English and also added a selection of old time favorites. This group was very well received and we were soon getting calls from various places to come and put on a concert. Around 1990 we thought of expanding our group and asked Denice Campanario if she would join us and play the keyboard. This turned out to be a terrific addition to our group and she still plays piano with us to this day. We enjoy the sound of an all-male choir and we have an enthusiastic group of men who enjoy singing and providing entertainment for those who can't always get out easily on their own. We take the summer months off because people are traveling and enjoying the warm days. We usually get out performing two or three times a month and this group has performed more than six hundred times. Of course this group has changed a lot since the first days of Pasquale and Rudy getting us together after a meeting to sing a few Italian songs. I have kept a list of all the members who have or are still in this group.
PAST MEMBERS: Mike Annoni, Joe Berini, Joe Cuseo, Art Delzotto, Lee Fawcett, Armen Francisco, Joe Francisco, Mike Francisco, Ron Francisco, Terry Francisco, Dutch Gooler, Bob Holter, Ted Krokovec, Pasquale Iallonardo, Peter Leone, Don Lindeen, Otto Macor, Joe Maio, Frank Michelizzi, Pat Ozzello, Gary Page, Al Pitoscia, Vince Pitoscia, Russ Rollins, Rudy Senich, John Simone, Tony Stratiotti, Joe Vatalaro and Ron Venier.
CURRENT MEMBERS: Dave Campanario, Denice Campanario, Bob Dincau, Ray Dincau, Angelo Florestano, Dick Landgren, Jerry Michelizzi, John Michelizzi, Bob Pavich, Jim Simone, Dave Sobczak, John Talarico, Joe Valentine and Pat Valentine.
We look back at our proud history with the club and the service we provide to the community. Although we miss our past members, we hope to keep our group moving ahead with newer members who will keep our singing tradition alive.
Our club's singing group, "Musicali Cumpari" would like to extend an invitation to join the group. This group began in 1982 and started going out to nursing homes. to date, over 600+ performances have been given. This is part of our proud service to our community. If you would like to join, please contact Dave Campanario 218-724-4643 .