Biography of Maestro Alfonso Rossi

by grandson, Vincent A. Dell'Osa, JR

Traduzione italiana

A Dream For A Rossi Band

Alfonso Rossi lived in Italy in a small town called Gessopalena, located in the Province of Chieti, in Abbruzzi. He came to the United States of America alone, with the intentions to get a musical position and to earn money to send for his family sometime later. He did manage to get employment and played flute and piccolo at the Million Dollar Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

He later sent for his entire family consisting of Mariana Rossi, his wife, and four daughters, Esterina, Bice, Amelia (my mother), and Giovannina. He also had two sons, Eligio and Amilcare. His family joined him in 1913. They all settled in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, living at 1228 South 13th Street. They later moved to 1244 South 16th Street.

This residence was across the street from Barratt Junior High School, now known as Barratt Middle School. Maestro Rossi had one thing in mind when his family arrived in the United States which was to form his own Concert Band.

In the earlier days, he did play with Creatore and the Ellerey Concert Bands. He was the assistant conductor in both bands. Creatore's Band was comparable to the famous John Philip Sousa Band but not as popular. My grandfather had band rehearsals in the winter months. January, February, March, and also April on Sunday mornings. The rehearsals took place on the top of a saloon located at 12th and Reed Streets, near Columbus Square. During his winter rehearsal sessions, his band committee booked jobs for the summer. The band engagements were as follows:

• Baltimore, MD

• Trenton, NJ

• Marcus Hook, PA

• Wilmington, DE

• Philadelphia, PA

• Kennett Square, PA

• Berlin, NJ

• West Chester, PA

• Sea Isle City, NJ

• Conshohocken, PA

• Camden, NJ

• Cedar Hallow, PA

• Pennsgrove, NJ

• Yonkers, NY.

The band would be busy playing weekends from the month of May until October. Some of the engagements (including a parade and concert) were one day, on Saturday, and sometimes two days, Saturday and Sunday. The band musicians would use public transportation when they were playing in Philadelphia or Camden. When the band traveled to other cities and towns, the band was transported by bus. The bus was usually very comfortable, and the musicians could nap if they desired.

The band had an experience coming back from Baltimore, Maryland, during the end of the month of May. After the concert, the band members gathered to board the bus back to Philadelphia. On the way home the bus started to have mechanical problems, with the engine steaming. The bus moved at a very slow pace and the band members became concerned. Going at such a slow pace, they ended up experiencing a beautiful sunrise on the bus. The weather was very nice. It happened to be Monday, Memorial Day. When the bus finally arrived in Wilmington, Delaware, at six o' clock on Monday morning, a band member called Maestro Rossi's wife, Marianna, to explain to her the dilemma. She was relieved when she heard that everyone was fine and nothing seriously had happened. The original bus driver made a phone call and arranged for another to get the band members and Maestro Rossi back to Philadelphia. The bus finally arrived in Philadelphia in front of Maestro's Rossi home safe and sound, at 9:45 a.m. on Memorial Day.

Some of the band members were booked previously to march in the Memorial Day parade with other bands. They had to rush to report on time for the parade. Finally, things got back to normal. The band members were inconvenienced, but when traveling to make these concert dates, transportation problems did occur. When the band played in the different towns, carpenters had to build a stage for the musicians. Some stages were built one story high, and some were built on ground level. The band stands which were one story high were equipped with a ladder for the band members to climb. Sometimes, it made it a little difficult. The band stands built on ground level were ideal. Since I was the band's librarian, it made it easier to handle the two suitcases filled with music folders.

Maestro Rossi had a large music repertory. It consisted of Marches, Overture, Opera selections and Folk music. The following selections are same of the music the Rossi Band played at the concerts:

• Semiramide (Overture) by Rossini

• Ernani by Verdi

• Rigoletto by Verdi

• Barbiere di Seviglia by Rossini

• Arlesien (Suite) by Bizet

• Traviata by Verdi

• Pagliacci by Leoncavallo

• Neopolitian Songs (Potpourri) arranged by Alfonso Rossi

• La Gioconda (Dance of the Hours) by Ponchielli

Plus many other selections. (A copy of a typical program is included in this biography).

When the Rossi Band played a concert on a street level platform, my grandfather would converse with some of the music lovers during the intermission. A line of people would form leading to the band to stand and talk and greet the Maestro. My grandfather was a friendly kind of person and a great conversationalist. He was well liked and respected by all. I also recollect that in some towns, the parishioners and church pastors would extend the red carpet treatment and invite him for dinner. Sometimes, he would toke me along. I must admit, when I accompanied my grandfather to these special invitations, I would also get the royal treatment. We indulged in full course delicious Italian dinners which I cannot begin to describe. As much as I enjoyed being with my grandfather, I would have preferred to have dined with the teenage band members.

The Rossi Trio Story

Maestro Rossi also organized a small group of young students who he named the Rossi Trio. It consisted of one E-flat clarinet (known as quartino) player, one B-flat curved soprano saxophone player, and one guitar player. The young players were eight, ten, and thirteen years old. The soprano sax player was my younger brother, Amedeo Dell'Osa, who took lessons from his grandfather Maestro Rossi. Amedeo played saxophone, clarinet, and some years later played the flute. My grandfather arranged the musical selections for the trio which consisted of Marches, Operas, and Folk Music. The Rossi Trio performed from time to time at different affairs. They played well and were loved by everyone. As the youngsters got older, they continued to play, but they went their separate ways. My brother, Amedeo, mastered the alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. He played in several night clubs, accompanying television and Hollywood celebrities. Amedeo taught in the Philadelphia Catholic Schools and also privately.

Story of the Teenage Band in Camden, New Jersey

This story took place in the early thirties. Maestro Alfonso Rossi was asked to form a teenage band in Camden, New Jersey. I remember this story very well, since I would accompany him to rehearsal sessions. The teenagers knew nothing regarding music. Professor Rossi, as he was called, had to teach them music fundamentals first, and later musical instruments. The band consisted of piccolo, E-flat quartino clarinet, B-flat clarinets, trumpets, valve trombones, E- flat alto horns, baritone horns, snare drums, cymbals and bass drum. The band was complete. Now came the hard part, to teach them how to play. The Maestro had to give them individual lessons at first. When they got better, he formed an ensemble. Professor Rossi had to make up special band arrangements suitable for the up-coming musicians. The band started to make progress. Finally came the day that the teenage band had to make their debut. The concert was held in Philadelphia near center city. The hall is now known as the Society Hill Playhouse. To the best of my knowledge, it is located at on 8th Street, between Lombard and South Streets. The concert was a success. Years later, my grandfather had to augment his concert band in Philadelphia. He decided to have some of the Camden, New Jersey, band players join in her concert band. Since my grandfather taught me the trumpet, he asked me to join the group. In fact, I selected Alfonso to be my name when I was confirmed. It was a great experience playing in different towns during the summer time. I enjoyed it very much.