Hometown Hero 2009
Dominic Mumolo
Sadly, Dominic passed away a few days after he was honored as a hometown hero. The following is an except of the speech given by Sharon Collins at the annual meeting. Photos by Betty Wuang)
Inspiration is that thing that makes you chase your dreams. It’s that amazing feeling that you get when your heart glides and your soul is moved. To inspire someone you have to believe in what you do and you have to do it wish a passion. To inspire someone is one of the greatest gifts one person can give to another. Dominic Mumolo, we brought you here this afternoon because you have given the gift of inspiration to so many people for so many years and we wanted to not only thank you for that but we wanted to honor you as our community’s hometown hero.
Your passion and commitment to every one of your students, both young and old, has created an enthusiastic community of musicians, not only right her in Lunada Bay, but to the surrounding areas. There are those students that you have given the gift of music for them to carry with them and enjoy being a part of their school’s band right now. There are others, who have taken that music and made a professional career of it. To all, your music instruction is something they will carry with them for a lifetime. Henry Brooks Adams once said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” Look around you, Dominic, your students, (well, at least the ones I could get a hold of since this was to be kept as a surprise) your family, your friends, your community - we are here because of you! As a parent of one of your students, I know I speak for all parents of your students, in saying to you just how lucky we are to have you in our kids’ lives. I know my son loves to see you each week, not only just for your incredible instruction, but to get a chance to chat with you, whether it be about what you did in the week or to hear one of your interesting stories. Your students all love to go see you. They look forward to their music lessons.
For those of you who might not know Dominic, I wanted to share with you a little bit of his history. Dominic has lived in Lunada Bay since he and his wife built their home back in the 50’s. He raised two children here, Rosalind and Anthony. He made his living as a musician as a member of the NBC Staff Orchestra. He played on such shows as The Dean Martin Show, Laugh-In, Ralph Edwards’ This Is Your Life, The Andy Williams Show, and The Tonight Show, when it traveled here in the summers from New York.
Dominic also worked as a recording musician with many great artists, such as Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, under the direction of the orchestra leader, Nelson Riddle. He was one of the musicians on Frank Sinatra’s Christmas Album and Nat King Cole’s, Unforgettable. Dominic also worked on the underscores of many feature films, such as Disney’s The Happiest Millionaire, Mash, and the musical Robin and the 7 Hoods, which starred members of the Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin.
Dominic also worked as a recording musician with many great artists, such as Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, under the direction of the orchestra leader, Nelson Riddle. He was one of the musicians on Frank Sinatra’s Christmas Album and Nat King Cole’s, Unforgettable. Dominic also worked on the underscores of many feature films, such as Disney’s The Happiest Millionaire, Mash, and the musical Robin and the 7 Hoods, which starred members of the Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin.
Left to Right: Kyle Collins, Sharon Collins, Dominic's daughter Rosalind, Dominic, Paul Smith (noted musician), Dominic's son Anthony, student, Bennison Wuang.
Dominic began his music at the age of nine, a mere 82 years ago, when his dad bought him a saxophone. His mom used to take him into the city every week for his lessons and insisted that he practice regularly. At the age of 18, he went on the road to travel with Big Bands. He was drafted into the army and served by playing in the Army Band for 5 years, during World War II. In addition to playing as a member of the NBC Orchestra, Dominic also played with the Tex Beneke Band and the Harry James Band. In fact, he just left the Harry James Band several years ago. For the past 30 years, Dominic also has been teaching. Dominic plays about 16 different instruments - all of the saxophones, alto, tenor, baritone, soprano, the clarinet, flute, piccolo; to name a few. First, he had a studio at Ridgecrest, he then moved to a place in Lomita about ten years ago, around the time that he lost his wife to cancer. Currently, he teaches from his home. Dominic still goes to many of his student’s performances, which is how we got him here. We told him that some of his students would be putting on a performance.
Dominic, the Lunada Bay Homeowner’s Association would like to present this painting of Lunada Bay to you, donated by local artist, Robin Haskell. It is a small token of appreciation to you for being a mentor to so many people in our community. Plato said, “Music is moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness and a gaiety and life to everything. It is the essence of order and leads to all that is good, true and beautiful.” Dominic, I, along with everyone in this room, salute you as our 2009 Hometown Hero.
ssa aliquet.
Dominic, the Lunada Bay Homeowner’s Association would like to present this painting of Lunada Bay to you, donated by local artist, Robin Haskell. It is a small token of appreciation to you for being a mentor to so many people in our community. Plato said, “Music is moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness and a gaiety and life to everything. It is the essence of order and leads to all that is good, true and beautiful.” Dominic, I, along with everyone in this room, salute you as our 2009 Hometown Hero.
ssa aliquet.
Dominic is joined by some of his many students and supporters.