More than a hundred people gathered at St. Peter’s Church in Mansfield on Saturday to celebrate the life of Ettore “Eddie” Chiudioni, or “Mr. C” as his students called him. He passed away Wednesday morning March 12, 2014 in the OSU Wexner Medical Center following a short illness and the news of his passing deeply moved a community that loved him dearly.
“The entire community of Mansfield mourns with you today,” said Father Gregory Hite in the opening words of his homily. Chiudioni’s impact as a musician and educator were so intertwined in his life and influence. It seems music was in the fabric of his soul and he couldn’t help sharing that with others.
Chiudioni was born and raised in Dillonvale, where he graduated high school before heading to Ohio University. There he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and continued on to The Ohio State University where he obtained a Master of Arts Degree.
Chiudioni devoted 32 years to teaching: six years in Crestline Schools, and 26 years in Mansfield City schools. He and his wife Joan raised their daughters Kimberly and Kelli in Mansfield. While Eddie loved playing trumpet most of all, his wife and daughters all play the violin.
He was in his 55th year as principal trumpet with the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra and appeared as a soloist with the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, the Firelands Symphony, the Alliance Symphony and with area high school bands and orchestras. He served as principal trumpet with the Renaissance Brass Quintet and the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra’s Outreach Brass Trio.
He also was a founding board member of the Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra, which he conducted for 24 years.
One of the scriptures selected seemed wonderfully apt to remember a beloved trumpet player. An excerpt from the reading from 1 Corinthians 15, “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
It seems that when Chiudioni’s trumpet sounded, people were changed. When talking to those who knew him, it is apparent that Chiudioni has achieved immortality through the countless lives he touched through music and his kindness and generosity. Irving Berlin described it another way, “The song is ended, the the melody lingers on.”
Percy Hall met Chiudioni when he was teaching at Crestline; Hall was teaching in Mansfield. The two also played in the Mansfield Symphony together. “He was a dear friend, as close as a brother,” said Hall, “We would talk about everything really, our interests, our problems. Usually over the phone, but lately over the internet.” Hall has a hard time imagining what life will be like without his friend.
Dalton Derr has known Chiudioni for countless years and spoke at the service. “Two words came to my mind–monumental and adoration. This is monumental; our loss is certainly monumental. Many of us are here because of our adoration for Ettore. He would certainly say to you–Thank you, thank you.”
Chiudioni was not monumental in stature, but his character was monolithic. Dr. Lauri Young is a Musical Director and professor at Wagner College in New York. She credits “Mr. C” with the life and career she now leads.
“Mr. C was amazing for me. He never said ‘No’ to me. I was in high school and he had me do things like listen to recordings of jazz bands and have me transcribe them. As a high school student I would do that for the jazz band. Any time I wanted to write an arrangement he’d say, ‘Yeah, go ahead, do it.’ And he’d give me music theory lessons after school on his own time,” said Young.
An interesting thread weaves through many stories told of Chuidioni. People often said, “He never said, ‘No,’ to me.” This isn’t a description of a pushover, or a weak leader, but rather a man who dwelled in a realm of possibility. He never closed the door on someone’s dream, he never limited potential, and he was always open to opportunity.
In his eulogy Derr described a recent time when Eddie just couldn’t say, “No,” to his friend. Derr had asked if he could perform, but Chuidioni had been weak and out of practice. He couldn’t commit a firm, “Yes,” but still didn’t say, “No.” On the day of rehearsal he was still uncertain at 7 a.m., but by 9 a.m. he arrived at rehearsal.
Not just a supporter of his students, Chuidioni championed them and facilitated their success. Chelsie Thompson is now the operations director at the Renaissance Theater, but she has known Chuidioni since childhood.
“Eddie Chiudioni was a part of my life for as long as I can remember. He was a wonderful, close family friend, and he is one of the few who significantly influenced my musical career path from the time I auditioned for the youth orchestra as a freshman in high school. He is the reason I pursued a degree in music, and he’s easily the sole reason why I hold the job I do now at the Renaissance. I was two weeks into post-graduation depression, putting in applications throughout Ohio when I got a call from Mr. C telling me that the MSO operations job was open and they were about to hire someone, so I needed to get in touch with Mike Miller right away and put my name in the hat. Because of him, I’ve been here since 2010.”
Like Thompson, Renaissance Theater President and CEO Mike Miller has known Chuidioni since his childhood. “I knew Eddie from the time I was about 6 years old. He’s always been a part of my Mansfield experience,” said Miller. In time “Mr. C” was a supporter of Miller’s own children, attending their performances at the Mansfield Playhouse and OSU.
Dennis Aungst is one of many former students who attended the funeral. “He touched a lot of lives. I graduated in ‘85 and I was a trumpet player as well. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have gone to college. I didn’t have that great of childhood, but he took an interest in me, he helped with all the paperwork, set up the try out. I think he encouraged me to go to OU because he went there,” said Aungst.
Derr gave Chuidioni a fitting send off. “Psalm 30 says among other things, ‘Weeping may tarry but joy comes in the morning.’ Bongiorno paisano. You will be missed. We thank you for the memories. This monk says, ‘it is a very good morning,’ even as the legions gather to say, ‘Welcome home Mr. C. Paisano, we love you.’ Now may the trumpets sound.”
“Two words came to my mind–monumental and adoration. This is monumental; our loss is certainly monumental. Many of us are here because of our adoration for Ettore. He would certainly say to you–Thank you, thank you,” said Dalton Derr.
