Nick Mangini

Nick Mangini is a familiar name at the Conservatory – he attended MCW as a student and has been teaching here for more than 30 years, having founded the Conservatory’s drum set program. Many of his students have gone on to college for performance and music education, and have been awarded scholarships.  As a performer, Mangini has recorded and toured with such greats as Wynton Marsalis, Hank Jones, Carmine Leggio, Jose Feliciano, Ronnie Spector, Felix Cavalerie, and Liberty Devitto. Nick is also a member of the R&B rock band The All Stars.

What inspires you as a musician?
Hearing and listening to good music.

What are some of your most memorable experiences as a rock drummer, and who are some of the artists you’ve performed with?
I would have to say my most memorable experience was my first time playing in Madison Square Garden. I was playing drums with Ronnie Spector.  At the rehearsals at S.I.R.studios in NYC, I was sitting behind the drums and in walks Liberty Devitto, one of my favorite rock drummers who played on all of Billy Joel‘s great hits. As I stand up to move away from the drum set (thinking that he would be playing drums), Liberty says to me, “Stay on the drums. I am here to play percussion.“ Wow! How cool is that? Me and Liberty playing together – what fun. When we played the show at MSG there were 19,000 people in the audience. The sound system was unbelievably great, and playing with good musicians in the band….. man ….. we were rocking. At the end of the show, I asked Liberty to sign his rock drum book for me, and this is what he wrote: “To Nick.  Maybe someday you will play shakers in my band ……God Bless, Liberty.”

I’ve also had a lot of fun performing concerts, touring, and recording with Felix Cavliere from the Young Rascals. Recording with Alan Gorrie from the Average White Band, playing with Eddie Money, and auditioning for Bob Dylan and Kiss, are also all memorable times for me.

What are the things you focus on when teaching students rock drumming, or coaching students in rock ensemble?
Whether teaching drum students, or coaching rock band with bass, drums, guitar, vocals, keyboards, the focus is always:
Listening and playing in time…listening to the band on the cd that you are playing along with…listening to the musician you‘re making music with…listening to each other…listening to the part you are learning or playing…listening to the music you are making… listening to the dynamics, the balance, the sound, the beat, placement of the pitch. These are just a few of the things to listen to, and if you are listening to these things then you will notice that you will make adjustments as you play.

How do you think music training contributes to students’ all-around development?
That’s a great question. When you learn to play an instrument, you begin to learn about yourself – things you can do if you work and put your mind to it. The results are very powerful and usually extend into other areas of your life.

How would you describe your years at MCW (both as a student here yourself, and as a teacher) and the education students receive here?

My years as a student date back to 1975.  I have fond memories of: the old school building in a Victorian house in White Plains. My first theory teacher, Mrs. Doris Davidson, was very kind to me. My piano teacher Dorothy Jonas also was wonderful to me. We are friends to this day, and are both on the faculty here at MCW. And, of course, the director of the school at that time, Mr. Michael Pollon, was wonderful, saw me play, knew my talent, and felt my love for music. He awarded me a full scholarship at that time. As the years went on, I started the drum set program here at MCW, which is now going on 30 years. MCW has had and still has a positive effect on my life. Now, and over the past 30 years, I give back to the community what those early teachers gave to me: I help students find their way in life through music.

Interested in percussion or drums at MCW? Click here.

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