The Journey
The year was 1963. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22nd, Michael's ninth birthday. He stared at the newly acquired living room furniture piece: a Wurlitzer upright piano. Mom thought her restless son could use some grounding and suggested piano lessons. He approached the idea with equal parts dread/anticipation. Anything to escape the general malaise that shrouded the country at that time. A distraction.
Soon Mrs. Jane Jones, an elderly woman from town, made weekly visits to the house. She had a gentle, nonthreatening disposition. She always came with a bag filled with sheet music and a sweet tooth. The bag of sheet music became Michael's candy and his mother's culinary confections extended every piano lesson from a half hour to an hour as Mrs. Jones fell into a sugar stupor during the last fifteen minutes of each lesson. What Michael didn't realize at the time was Mrs. Jane Jones graduated from the Yale University School of Music and he was receiving a first class education in piano technique and music theory. He would overhear her talking to his Mom after a lesson: "He plays the notes correctly but then goes on to extend the song and fills in what is not there."
Soon Michael was 'wowing' both students and teachers at his parochial elementary school. So much to the point that Sister Noel suggested to his mother that he take a day off from school being "such a genius." Very big mistake but that's another narrative.
After five years of study, Mrs. Jones suggested that he go on to study with renowned concert pianist, Samuel Yaffe, also from the Yale School of Music (https://lux.collections.yale.edu/view/set/74ca42a2-cd55-424f-a8ca-20a2dc1889cc.) Michael soon experienced the challenges/excitement of performing the intricacies of J. S. Bach's Inventions, Suites and Fugues, the Etudes and Impromptus of Frederic Chopin, the Sonatas of Ludwig Van Beethoven and Sergei Rachmaninoff's, Prelude in C# Minor which he performed at his recital.
While studying under Mr. Yaffe, Michael composed his first piano piece, an impressionistic piece in the style of Debussy/Ravel, titled 'Midnight Whispers.' Poor Michael's parents had to hear him play this piece ad nauseam as they were trying to watch the Carol Burnett show in the adjacent den.
Much to the perplexment of his parents, Michael then entered Boston University as a Philosophy major. To this day, he attributes this choice to two factors: a crusty old volume of Will Durant's, 'The Story of Philosophy,' bequeathed from his maternal grandfather, Louis Campano Sr. (the same man who put up money to purchase the piano) and Jim Morrison's obsession with Friedrich Nietzsche and 'The Birth of Tragedy.' `While at BU, he would sneak away to the dorm piano and compose several semi-classical works. Although he was accepted and spent three semesters in the Boston University Music School, he still wasn't ready to fully commit to music.
After graduating with a BA in Philosophy from BU, Michael moved home and started writing/composing songs in earnest while the adult world slaved at their day jobs. Michael's Mom, at this point on the verge of a mental collapse, sat him down and read him the riot act. Get a job or move out!
Michael was able to secure a Child Care Worker position at High Meadows Treatment Center, Hamden, Ct, a State-run residential center for emotionally challenged youth. For anyone who's ever worked in such a setting, you quickly learn survival skills. Tucked in a corner of the main hall was an old upright piano. Every time Michael began to play, an amazing thing would happen. The boys who regularly lashed out in violent outbursts would suddenly calm down and listen intently like angelic aesthetes. The power of music. This convinced Michael to pursue a Master's Degree in Music Education which he received from the University of Bridgeport, CT with a concentration in Music Composition.
While there, he met an undergraduate who would forever change the course of his life. Her name was Marci Elyn Schein, (https://maestramusic.org/profile/marci-elyn-schein/,) a funny, brilliant, talented singer/actor from Rockland County, New York. They immediately bonded and went on to make beautiful music together: performing, creating/recording, composing, teaching, directing, conducting...and marrying.
After marrying, Michael and Marci moved closer to NYC to pursue the music business. Both worked day jobs as music teachers and after work Michael continued to create songs that Marci would brilliantly sing.
Michael's songwriting talents were first discovered at the Songwriters Guild in New York City (https://www.songwritersguild.com/) where he befriended Sid Bernstein, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Bernstein_(impresario),) the man who brought the Beatles to America. Michael showcased many of his songs on Sid´s New York Cable TV Show: CAREER ON THE LINE with Marci singing. Realizing the talent they both possessed, Sid promoted and launched their performing career and soon they were performing at casinos in Atlantic City and hotels and other venues throughout the New York Metropolitan area.
Meanwhile, Michael had a song published: a choral piece entitled 'Showing Us the Way' (a Graduation Song) followed by 'Hold On' with September Music/Hope Publishing Company. (https://www.hopepublishing.com/W2625_SHOWING_US_THE_WAY/.) Three internationally performed songs followed: 'Come to Neverneverland,' 'As He Holds Back His Tears,' and 'I Love You More Than Sunny Days' with Princess Music situated in the iconic Brill building, NYC (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brill_Building.) Through these publications, Michael became a member of ASCAP (https://www.ascap.com/)
With permission from author Leo Buscaglia, (https://www.buscaglia.com/) Michael wrote and composed 'The Fall of Freddie the Leaf, the Musical,' which was performed in Glen Rock, NJ at the Richard E. Byrd Elementary School. He dedicated this performance to his beloved dad, Michael William Ficocelli who succumbed to cancer only months before.
He also wrote the libretto, lyrics and music to a totally original musical, 'Wild Imagining,' which was published by Players Press Inc., Studio City, CA. First performed at the school, it later went on to have an Off Broadway run at Players Theatre, NY,NY. (http://www.theplayerstheatre.com/)
He later became 'Resident Composer' for Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel, South Orange, NJ for a period of five years. While there, he composed the following pieces: two Shabbat Services, 'Come Let Us Sing (Bo-U nashir)' (https://www.nli.org.il/en/items/NNL_MUSIC_AL997008637890105171/NLI) and 'Shabbaat 2000: Jazz Service of the Century.' He also wrote the libretto, lyrics and music to a multi-media musical theatre piece, 'From Death to Hope,' in commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust for the 1997 Interfaith Community Holocaust Memorial Program held at the Temple. He wrote and composed a full length musical, 'Medinah, A Dream Fulfilled,' later titled 'Brothers Ignite' for the 50th Anniversary of the State of Israel and another full length musical, 'Isaac's Window' depicting how a Montana town fought back against hate crimes aimed at minority groups.
'From Death to Hope,' was later commissioned by the Center for Holocaust Studies at Ramapo College and was performed at the Sharp Theatre at Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ. It was later commissioned by Sinai Temple, Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA and excerpts were performed at Auschwitz/Birkenau, Poland and Dachau, Germany, through the efforts of Cantor Steven Stoehr of Congregation Beth Shalom, Northbrook, IL. To this day, a highpoint of Michael's life was having his song 'My Mamale' performed emotionally by Cantor Arianne Brown during a spiritual pilgrimage to Auschwitz/Birkenau. You can hear her beautiful rendition on her CD, Eternal Flame: A Yiddish Love Story. (http://www.cantorari.com/cds/)
Michael also composed the music for a documentary film entitled, 'Jewish America: The Civil War,' Black Dog Films for PBS. (https://www.montanapbs.org/programs/JewishAmericaTheCivilWarTheEarlyYears/)
For a period of three years, Michael became the 'Resident Composer' of the Pomona Cultural Center in Pomona, NY. In early November, 2001, he collaborated as composer with lyricist/artist Rose Marie Raccioppi and premiered a musical/poetical tribute to the victims of Ground Zero entitled 'Where Does the Pain Go?' performed by Michael and Marci Elyn Schien at the Center. It has since been performed throughout the tri-state area, most notably by Grammy award-winning composer, Jeremy Wall (Spyro Gyra) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Wall)
After hearing Michael´s work, Tony award winning lyricist, Sheldon Harnick (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheldon_Harnick) and theatre and film composer, David Shire (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Shire) wrote him letters of recommendation to the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre workshop, NYC (https://www.bmi.com/theatre_workshop.) He was accepted into the program and honed his songwriting craft under the tutelage of Tony award winning composer/lyricist, Maury Yeston (https://www.mauryyeston.com/) and other instructors, most notably the wonderful Walter (Skip) Kennon, over a period of four years.
He collaborated as composer with, Amanda Yesnowitz, (https://as.nyu.edu/faculty/amanda-yesnowitz.html) the ´Jonathon Larson award´ winning lyricist, on the ten-minute musical, 'Heaven Bound (Building a Wing)' which was selected over eight hundred applicants worldwide for the ´Short, Sweet & Song´ Ten-Minute Musical Festival in Sydney, Australia (https://shortandsweet.org/.) It was performed in February, 2007 and won the Judges' Choice Award for best ten minute musical.
Michael went on to acquire the subsidiary rights to Edna Ferber´s Pulitzer-prize winning novel, 'So Big' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_Big_(novel)) and as lyricist/composer and co-librettist with Will Holt, 'So Big, The Musical' had its Premiere Reading on April 18, 2004, at the Colleen Dewhurst Theatre, Mount Kisco. Hosted by Broadway Producer, Ken Marsolais, (https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/ken-marsolais-22800) it received accolades from such distinguished guests as Charles Strouse (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Strouse,) Sherman Yellen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman_Yellen,) and Julie Gilbert of the Ferber Estate.
Michael has acted as Composer in Residence in his position as Music Teacher at the Glen Rock Public Schools, NJ involving his students in three of his original productions, 'The Fall of Freddie the Leaf, The Musical,' 'Wild Imagining' and a musical re-telling of Virgil´s 'The Aenied.' In 1994, Michael was asked to write a song for the town´s Centennial celebration. He wrote 'Glen Rock, The Town To Come home To', the music of which was placed in a time capsule along with other memorabilia to be opened at the Bi-Centennial. During his tenure at Glen Rock, Michael was involved in the Glen Rock Middle School 'Exploratory Arts Program,' where he assisted his sixth grade students in songwriting. He later introduced the course offering, 'Songwriter's Workshop' for his eighth grade students modeled after his experiences at The Songwriter's Guild and The BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop.
In 2007 Michael along with Marci Elyn Schein Ficocelli founded 'Little Fig Stage, INC' and successfully launched three off-Broadway productions at the off-Broadway theatre, The Players Theatre, NYC: 'The True Colors of Weedle' and 'The Lost Legends of Camelot' in which Michael contributed music and lyrics and his musical 'Wild Imagining.'
In September 2016, Michael returned to Brooklyn College for a Masters in Music Composition and graduated Summa Cum Laude in December 2018. While there, he studied with internationally acclaimed composer, Jason Eckardt, (https://www.jasoneckardt.com/) composing works for chamber orchestra, piano and voice. He was the recipient of the 'Lehman Engel Award 2017 for theatre composition' at Brooklyn College for 'Slippery Slope, Isn’t It?' the opening number of a musical theatre piece in progress entitled Right You Are, Maybe, based on the Luigi Pirandello play, ‘Cosi e (se vi pare).’
Michael has been the recipient of the ASCAP Awards Panel Prize over many years. He resides in Pomona, NY with his lovely wife, singer/actor/director/producer, Marci Elyn Schein-Ficocelli. Through the years, they've raised two beautiful children, Barbra and Eric whom to this day they adore alongside their equally beautiful grandchildren, Morrison and Gus (August) and son-in-law, Tom.
Quotes on Michael’s Music & Lyrics
"I admire Michael Ficocelli's music, both for its melodic richness and its heart; it's imbued with a generosity of spirit. I've been impressed, too, by his willingness-in projects like Brothers Ignite and So Big-to deal with large themes, to address great challenges in life. In an age when so much of the entertainment industry is preoccupied with superficialities, he sets his sights high, and seeks to create theater that touches us deeply. That's rare. And I respect that."--Chip Deffaa, Playwright/Director, "George M. Cohan Tonight!" (http://www.chipdeffaa.com/)
"Michael's words and music bring out the emotions of the characters he is writing. Whether that be a solo character moment or a rousing group number Michael's words and music are there helping the actors create character and/or move plot forward. He is a disciplined and dedicated songwriter of musical theatre."-- Ken Marsolais, Broadway Producer
"Michael, beautiful writing. You’re such a good songwriter."---Sid Bernstein in reference to songs presented on his cable TV show, CAREER ON THE LINE
THE FALL OF FREDDIE THE LEAF
"I can’t express the joy I felt upon watching the videotaped program of Richard E. Byrd School’s production of ´The Fall of Freddie The Leaf.´ Little did I realize when granting you permission to use my book as basis for your musical that such an imaginative and inspiring program would result. Continue to live in love and share your talent and enthusiasm with us."----Leo F. Buscaglia, Ph. D. (author of LIVING, LOVING AND LEARNING)
WILD IMAGINING
"WILD IMAGINING is a most delightful and entertaining show. It is ideally suited for school and camp productions. From the opening scene at Bedford Junior High School to the final number at the Forestlands Arena, the songs along with the choreography are of the highest quality. I highly recommend this show to any Middle School and/or camp as it was extremely well received here at Cedar Lake Camp."---Alex Antoniou, Director, the New Jersey YMHA-YWHA Camps
MEDINAH, A Dream Fulfilled (BROTHERS IGNITE)
"Michael’s outstanding talent is a remarkable gift to everyone who loves music. We are delighted that our congregation will celebrate this important Jewish milestone through another of Michael’s works. MEDINAH is a marvelous celebration of Israel’s independence. In producing this full musical theater piece, our synagogue is once again a leader in adding to the repertoire of 20th century Jewish music."---Cantor Theodore Aronson, Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel
"After reading and listening to MEDINAH, A Dream Fulfilled, I can understand why the piece received standing ovations."---Sheldon Harnick (Lyricist, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SHE LOVES ME)
FROM DEATH TO HOPE
"FROM DEATH TO HOPE is an incredible piece and gives a new perspective of the Holocaust. It’s not just a cerebral look because viewers are attacked from an emotional standpoint and must grapple with their emotions. Michael’s work is authentic and historically correct. It touches feelings and it is impossible not to be moved. I cried my way through every rehearsal, and I feel privileged to perform in it. No one will walk away unchanged."---Cantor Theodore Aronson, Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel
"I can hardly imagine what it must be like to have so much talent and vision, so much passion and conviction, so as to be able to write, envision, develop and perform the kind of program you crafted in commemoration of the Holocaust."---Hope M. Pomerantz, Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel
SO BIG, THE MUSICAL
"Dear Michael, I know what to say if anyone asks: your songs are well-crafted, thoroughly professional and the work of a highly capable composer."----Sheldon Harnick (Lyricist, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, THE APPLE TREE, SHE LOVES ME)
ISAAC'S WINDOW
"Michael, you continue to create some of the most compelling theatre music I have heard."----Jeremy Wall (Grammy Award winning composer, SPYRO GYRA)
BUILDING A WING
"The highlight of the night is BUILDING A WING, a story of what happened to Icarus before he flew into the sun. Written by Americans Amanda Yesnowitz and Michael Ficocelli, it is an assured, well constructed and musically excellent piece. It is also the most complete of the shows, making the most of the ten minute structure. Under the direction of Neil Gooding, it features fabulous performances from Nick Castro as Icarus and Paul Whitely as Daedalus and is worth the price of admission."---STAGE NOISE with Diana Simmonds