Score-'Sempre Avanti ' whose title translates as 'Ever Forward' was written for the Bloomfield Youth Band and premiered by that ensemble on June 17 2005. 'Sempre Avanti' was the motto of TonyMarcopoto a longtime supporter and fan of the Youth Band and a retired New Jersey Music Educator who taught at Newark's Arts High School for nearly 40 years. Well into his eighties he practiced his Clarinet for an hour each day.Two years before he passed away he suffered a stroke which paralyzed the entire right side of his face. Despite this unfortunate setback Tony never gave up and to everyone's amazement found a way to not only play the Clarinet but to once again resume his normal routine of an hour of practice each day. Tony's 'ever forward' spirit was remarkable and serves as a terrific example for everyone.
