Alan Mandel:
CLASS OF 1972
John Glenn High SchoolClass of 1972
Elwood, NY
Birch Elementary SchoolClass of 1986
Merrick, NY
Chatterton Elementary SchoolClass of 1986
Merrick, NY
Elwood Junior High SchoolClass of 1968
Elwood, NY
Cuba Hill SchoolClass of 1965
Elwood, NY
Alan's Story
Life
After High School, went to SUNY Oswego, started out in pre-med. Blew up a sink in a lab(no permanent damage, more shock than anything else), decided I had had enough of chemistry and explosions (*laughing*). Went into music instead of science.Won music scholarship, as well as Most Outstanding Musician Award(SUNY Oswego). Went to Potsdam (SUNY) got Masters in Music History and Literature, as well as NYS Teacher's License. Went back to LI, married Francine Phillips (from Commack, met at Oswego). Have a 18 year old daughter ,Judy, lives with Fran. We had divorced back in 2002. Now (as of 2003) am upstate NY(Fingerlakes area), in Geneva, with my fiancee, Joan(whom I love very much), and her stepson Jeremie (16), right on Seneca Lake, teaching and performing with three groups---3 big bands (swing era stuff) and a rock group from Geneva Hospital (made up of doctors/nurses, etc.) and teaching at Hobart/Wm. Smith college, and private students. Looking for full-time work, but meanwhile enjoying the beauty and scenery of upstate NY. Before moving upstate, originally did substitute teaching on Long Island, then taught in the Merrick Schools (elem. band/orchestra)for 4 years, then moved on to Suffolk Community College for 3 years, then taught at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, NY.(for 11 years), was Coordinator of Private Instruction/Director of Ensembles as well as Director of Online Education/Long Distance learning. Obtained doctorate from CUNY Graduate Center in Jazz Performance and Composition, performed on Main Stage Carnegie Hall, and Hotel Roosevelt--both in Manhattan. Also worked with a 20 pc. big band (Hal Hoffman Orchestra on LI) , till the leader passed away in 1998. Wrote over 350 arrangements, own and play close to 90 horns. Married 19 yrs(from way back in 1978--met ex-wife at Oswego, she lived in Commack, never knew her when I lived in Elwood), divorced since 2002, 18 y/o daughter(as of 2009) lives with ex-wife in Commack. Get to see my daughter (Judy) on vacations, visits with me upstate, everything copasetic...if you consider teenagers copasetic! Email me for more...or check out my webpage!
Sad news...my Dad passed away back on Dec. 10,2006...Mom is well, still teaching special ed classes at Five Towns College...have completed a webpage over at allreeeds(dot)com (notice the three 'e's.).Check it out if you have the time.
Have been writing and playing with 3 big bands: Southern Tier All Stars Jazz Band, Greater Finger Lakes Orchestra, For Dancers Only, Agonal Rhy...Expand for more
thm (rock group of doctors from local hospital). Continued writing for big band (similar to when I was with the Hal Hoffman Orchestra)over 350 big band charts. With the big bands here in upstate NY, I am lead alto with some groups and lead tenor with the others. Primary jazz soloist, and extensive woodwind doubles. have collected over 90 woodwinds, and play them all. Still looking for full time work, but have spent a year studying Computer Network Management, so maybe I'll find some work that way.
My daughter, Judy, and isgoing to Muhlenberg college, in PA.
My daughter (now 20) is studying dram and theater arts in Engkland in the Fall. I am still in Geneva, NY on Seneca Lake. Have been teaching and playing with 3 big bands. A few months ago we were asked to play the International Rochester NY Jazz Festival...had over 1000 oeiole come to see us, over 180,000 at the festival itself. Still collecting and playing woodwinds -- 91 so far,. Writing music, teaching kids, and college kids at Hobart/Wm. Smith Colleges.
The diabetes is rough, but able to get around somewhat. Most annoying is the neuropathy in my feel...like having a novocaine shot and numbness that doesn't go away. New diet is good, lots of proteins and veggies, and stay away from carbs and sugars....but it's manageable, Compeleted the Computer Management degree, was valedictorian of my class, and enjoy programming my new EVO 3D phone, writing apps, and making music is what my life is all about. Can't complain , could have been worse. Am working in the bands with many of my old (30 year+) colleagues from )swego, Potsdam, Queens College, and CUNY Grad. Center. Lots of fun, and good times!
Broke my right ankle twice. It got infected and needed a below knee amputation to prevent the infection from spreading and becoming fatal. Learning how to deal with a prosthetic leg and foot. Hope to be walking soon and then driving again. Been a long year in 2014. Hope 2015 is better!
Happy new year to all my classmates from 1972!
Still in a wheel chair and occasionally a walker. Planning and have scheduled a Caribbean cruise in March on ms Rotterdam from March 16th-30th with Joan and cabin and shore excursions are totally wheelchair accessible shore excursions. Will take and post pictures from our trip after April 1st of the vacation and Joan and i. Been a long time but we needed the vacation to someplace sunshiny and warm. On a cruise is the best way. Unpack once, gone for 14 days, Food and drinks all included. More after April 1st.
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