Robert Veillette's Summer Recital Series at The Whittemore Library

NAUGATUCK - The 10th annual Robert Veillette’s Summer Recital Series was held on Sunday at the Howard Whittemore Memorial Library. The young pianists performed on the grand piano in the reading room at the library in Naugatuck.

More than 20 new and experienced music students had a chance to show off their talents for family and friends. Charley Marenghi, an educator at Cross Street and a talented musician himself, introduced each of the students and presented everyone with a certificate of participation. The emcee gave a brief bio of each of the young musicians and then was their biggest cheerleader.

The annual summer concert was started by the talented musician Bob Veillette as a place where young pianists could perform on the library’s beautiful piano. Over the years, the concert had been expanded to two performances and added students of other musical instruments, as well as young vocalists.

This year’s one matinee recital featured students entering elementary grades through college who study piano with veteran piano teacher Wendy Ruggeri of Naugatuck and Family Music Center. The group of up and coming musicians included students who attend schools in Naugatuck and Wolcott, Holy Cross, WAMS and one entering CT College Naugatuck Valley.

Veillette, a Naugatuck resident and pianist, started the recitals in 2004. He worked at the Waterbury Republican-American for 40 years, retiring as managing editor.

Veillette suffered a brain stem stroke in 2006 that left him paralyzed from the nose down. Friends of the talented musician continue the recitals to maintain his vision of providing children an opportunity to perform in front of a live audience to develop confidence. The recitals are free and open to the public.

After Veillette suffered the stroke, his family brought him to the concert so that he could enjoy the performances of the up and coming musicians. Mr. Marenghi took over the job of emcee after Mr. Veillette became ill.

My youngest child "C.J." Janis took part in the annual concert when he was studying piano with Wendy Ruggeri and I will never forget that Mr. Marenghi addressed a section of C.J.'s introduction directly to Mr. Veillette. This year, Mr. Marenghi shared that his son, who participated in the recital series in his youth, will begin his career as a music teacher this school year.

Mr. Veillette passed away in 2017 and it is a wonderful tribute that the concert series continues in his memory. His widow Bonnie and daughter Stephanie Veillette DeLuca faithfully attend the recitals.

The library was decorated with balloons for the recital and refreshments were served.