GILBERT, AZ — Joseph Giacinto is 15 years old and an expert clarinet player. He performs at nursing homes, in downtown Gilbert and for his friends and neighbors during three hour long nightly practices. Joseph said, "Soloing is my favorite thing to do. It's very special to me."
Joseph started playing clarinet three years ago but he's always been musically inclined. Emily Giacinto, Joe's mom, said, "He picks it up so quickly and loves it so much." It takes Joe only two listens to replicate a song perfectly without seeing any sheet music. "I listen to a song and while I'm listening to it my brain creates of picture of me playing," explained Joe.
This is Joe. He’s 15 and an expert clarinet player.
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Joe learns songs by ear since he was born without sight. It only takes him a couple listens to know a new song by heart.
His dream? To play at a @Dbacks game!
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Listening is the only way Joe can learn. He was born with Septo-optic dysplasia leaving Joe without any sight. "He had a lot of health problems as a baby and was in and out of the hospital so musical was always calming, soothing and something we could turn to," said Emily.
Today, music is still just as comforting. Surprisingly, it's even more comforting in front of a crowd. Joe says he never gets nervous and is very confident adding, "Performing kind of controls my thoughts. I just really like performing."
His ultimate dream is to play in front of the biggest crowd possible. Ideally, he wants to perform at Carnegie Hall. But until then, Joe has his heart set on a local venue. He wants to play the Star Spangled Banner at a packed Chase Field for thousands of Diamondbacks fans. Joe says he's been practicing since May so he's ready if and when the team calls.
