Robert Genualdi a True Renaissance Man

Robert Genualdi, who became headmaster at Andrew Warde High School during our senior year and served in the same capacity at Fairfield High School, recently retired as music director of the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras in Bridgeport. He was also the conductor of their principal orchestra. He is a musician, educator, arranger, and composer.

As a student, he trained at the University of Miami and Northwestern University, where he received a Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Music Performance on String Bass. He received a Sixth Year Diploma in Education Administration from the University of Bridgeport. Later he played under the batons of Thor Johnson, Arthur Fiedler, Jonel Perlea and John Nelson.

Mr. Genualdi has been a member of the GBYO, the Greenwich Symphony, and several chamber music ensembles. He previously taught music in public schools in Illinois and Connecticut as well as at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Bridgeport. He has served as an adjudicator in musical competitions in a number of states and has conducted at numerous musical festivals.

Mr. Genualdi has composed several chamber music compositions and two works for full orchestra. Two of his original compositions are included in the Carl Fischer Inc. publication, "Melody Book for Strings." He is co-arranger of this collection as well as the "Masterworks Melody Book for Strings" also published by Carl Fischer Inc. He began his professional music studies at the University of Miami.

According to the 1976 Flame yearbook, "Mr. Genualdi, the new headmaster here at Warde, is a truly sincere, honest, and open human being who has a real concern for others. He is very much impressed by the friendliness of those at Warde, staff as well as students.

"Ben Franklin is the object of his admiration because, Mr. Genualdi feels, he was as close as we can come to the Renaissance man. His interests include boating and fishing as well as music. Mr. Genualdi also plays the string bass. He feels that 'In order to gain from life, one must take prudent risks.'"

It was a pleasure to speak with him at our 30th reunion. He is to be admired for his lifelong commitment to education and the arts. Good luck in your retirement, Mr. Genualdi.

Paul