Phil Cataldo

A Bit About Me

Who Am I?

Glad you asked! My name's Phil and I'm a percussionist from Billerica, Massachusetts currently studying music education at the Ithaca College School of Music. My performance studies are currently under the direction of Dr. Mike Truesdell. It's a pleasure to meet you!

I found my love for teaching by giving back to two programs that have made me who I am: my high school marching band (Billerica Memorial HS) and my local Boy Scout Troop (Troop 11 Billerica). Working with these kids has made me, to be sure, a teacher for life.

I maintain a great love for performance, as well, and perform frequently in both my home and collegiate communities. Most notably, I serve as Principal Percussionist of the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra and have toured the country as a snare drummer with the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps.

Keep scrolling to find out more about the other aspects of my musical life!

How Am I Doing?

Testimonials

"Phil is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. He helped me begin my DCI career and, to this day, still encourages me to give it my very best. When I stumble upon a difficult concept or section of music, he does whatever it takes to help me figure it out.

Phil has become one of my biggest role models. He is a fantastic musician, teacher, and a very kind-hearted person."

-Peter S.
Private Lesson Student
Snare Drummer at Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps

"Phil is a wonderful and very capable teacher, always being able to help with any trouble. [He is] always on top of each scheduled lesson, always on-time, and always offers additional opportunities outside of lessons."

-Chen Family
Private Lesson Student

"I've had the privilege of working with Phil on the instructional staff at the New York Skyliners Drum and Bugle Corps and recently hired him as a Program Consultant and Co-Music Arranger with the Auburn Vanguard Marching Band and Indoor Percussion Ensemble. When Phil joined the marching programs at Auburn, he brought a level of detail that significantly elevated our performance. He would always go out of his way to provide detailed notes on how we could improve our show from both a performance and design standpoint. His attention to detail is unparalleled, and it's evident in his work that he genuinely cares about the success of each individual and the ensemble as a whole."

-Bennett Coughlin
Percussion Caption Head
Auburn High School

More coming soon! :)

What Do I Do?

My Work

O1

Teaching: A Light in the Darkness

COVID-19 hit all of us. Hard. During my Pandemic-induced leave of absence from Ithaca College, I was blessed to work as a Music Department Teaching Assistant at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, MA. The lovely people on the left are some of the teachers I worked most closely with throughout the year.

Check out some of the amazing work these students did during a very difficult year here.

O2

Marching Arts: Music on the Move

Performing nationwide as a snare drummer with the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps is one of the defining experiences of my musical life. Few endeavors have taught me more about the responsibility, communication, careful listening, and mental fortitude that it takes to be an effective performer in an ensemble.

Today, I teach and help performers hone the skills necessary to partake in this one-of-a-kind activity.

O3

Service: Making Music for FREE

Every Eagle Scout needs an Eagle Project. For mine, I led a team of nine volunteers in constructing a five-octave marimba to be donated to the FREE Players Drum and Bugle Corps.

This enormous undertaking would not have been possible without the guidance and expertise of my friends, family, community members, and Mr. Jim McCarthy.

O4

Research: Asking the Right Questions

Oh, and did I mention I love books?

Music research is a recently-found passion of mine! A paper of mine was recently published in the musicology journal "Musical Offerings." Click the box below to check it out!