A Little About Our Staff

CORPORATE STAFF

TONY FALCETTI

President/Owner

Tony’s training at Falcetti Music began unofficially over 38 years ago when he began taking music lessons in the business founded by his father, Sam Falcetti, in 1957. Tony proudly says there isn’t a job in the company he hasn’t done at some point. After graduating from Westfield State College in 1986 with a music degree and a concentration in business, Tony took an active role in various areas of the business. He assumed the role of President 1996. As of April 30th, 2007 Tony became the principal owner of Falcetti Music Inc.

Highlights of Tony’s achievements in the music industry include: Serving as a Member of the Board of Directors of the prestigious National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the Board of Directors of University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music, Association and the Wilbraham Nature and Cultural Center. He has been an active Presenter for the National Association of Music Merchants annual trade show as well as other industry forums. Tony and Falcetti Music have been featured in articles in highly respected industry publications such as: Musical Merchandise Review, Music Trades, and Music Inc. Magazines.

Tony is an accomplished musician who has played the keyboard and accordion professionally all of his life. He is a devoted father to his two children, Nick and Marissa who are both avid musicians and soccer players.

MICHAEL FALCETTI

Vice President

Mike has been an integral part of Falcetti Music’s commitment to creating and supporting musicians through the development and teaching of quality lesson programs since 1990. Throughout the years, he has helped build an outstanding team of nearly 30 teachers on the Falcetti staff and a student base of approximately 1800 students.

Mike, along with the help of his father Sam, began the “Play Forever” organ program in all of its stores; an enduring program which has enriched the lives of hundreds of senior citizens for over 15 years. Mike has also enjoyed teaching the accordion to his students, many of whom have achieved awards and accolades over the last 25 years.

For over 10 years Michael he has been the conductor and director of the Springfield Accordion and Guitar Orchestra. A past President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Accordian Teachers Association of Massachusetts (ATAM), Mike is presently the Vice President of ATAM. He has had the opportunity to travel extensively competing in both local and national competitions throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Mike has been an active Music Director and pit member in several local musical theater groups including 8 shows at Springfield College. He is a 1990 graduate of Westfield State College where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Business. While at WSC he was a pit member for Brigadoon and Little Shop of Horrors and was Music Director for How to Succeed ... and Scrooge. Mike lives with his wife Sue and children, Daniel and Angela in Ludlow, MA.

DON BROWN

Don has been with our company since 1997, serving as a purchaser, manager and salesman. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Eastern Connecticut State University with concentrations in Economics and Operations Managment. An avid musician, Don plays guitar and sings in the power trio "The Implications" with his wife, Laura, on bass.

RETAIL SALES 

TOM NOWAK

Store Manager

Tom’s career at Falcetti Music began in 1985 as a guitar teacher. He also enjoyed the process of supporting musicians by helping them to find just the right instrument whether a piano, organ, drum set, guitar or just about anything else. In 1987 Tom’s knowledge and experience led him to a management path where he has served the company with great dedication and expertise.

As a guitar player, Tom’s been active in the Pioneer Valley music scene since 1972. He is currently playing with The Goatropers and The Winemakers and has played previously with such bands as: Tapestry, The Radiators, and Joe Smola’s Velvetones. His style interests range from country, jazz, rock and blues. We are looking forward to the completion of his CD. Tom lives in Chicopee with his wife Michelle and their Airedales, Max and Stella.

GEORGE GARBER, JR.

Piano Expert, Piano Showroom Manager

George currently manages the piano floor at our Flagship Store in Springfield MA and has served as vice president of the piano division. He brought over 20 years of music education and performance to Falcetti Music when he began with us in 1998.

His interest in pianos began at the tender age of 8 when his parents left on a day trip and “Georgie” began dissembling his aunt’s 1907 Cable Nelson pedal player piano (unfortunately, he couldn’t get the instrument up and running again before his parents returned . . .) The rest, as they say, is history. George has learned pianos inside and out. He is our most experienced Yamaha Touchstone Star, a prestigious program that certifies sellers of Yamaha Pianos. He has extensive knowledge of all piano brands and is endorsed by Kawai America as a “Professional Keyboard Counselor.” George coordinates manufacturers’ national sales events for such institutions as The Hartt School, Umass, Goodspeed Musicals, Boston University, Tanglewood Institute and many more.

George’s extensive professional background qualifies him to proudly live up to his motto: “I match people to pianos.” You will find him a genuine pleasure to work with, very “down-to-earth”, and a great resource for sorting through all of the ins and outs of pianos.

A professional trombone player, George is active in local bands and performances. He lives in Chicopee, MA with his wife Suzanne and their two children, Grace and Evan.

PETE ALEKSI

Team Leader / Guitar Specialist

Pete brought his love of music, tremendous enthusiasm, and witty persona to us in 2004. If you’re looking for what’s hot in the world of guitars, amps, or effects, or to learn more about the very anatomy of the guitar, Pete’s your guy. As progressive as he is, he’s also that easy to communicate with. As serious as he is about helping you select the best instrument to meet your needs, you’re sure to enjoy yourself in the process. Pete favors blues, jazz and funk music. He plays out frequently with his band Superswank, and has shared the stage in high profile gigs with grammy nominated artists.

Piano Sales Associate

Ray has been associated with us since 1996. He is a consummate professional and a wonderful resource for anyone in the piano market. He plays the piano and the guitar.

PETER ANNONE

Piano Sales Associate

Pete’s tenure as a piano specialist began with us in 1977. He traveled extensively with the US Air force and entertained playing the Accordion and singing Italian songs throughout Europe. He received numerous awards while performing internationally, and has been featured on TV. He has had the opportunity to meet and converse with musical legends such as: Dean Martin, Connie Frances, Ray Charles, as well as accordionists, Dick Contino and Myron Floren of the Lawrence Welk Show. Among the most memorable encounter he had was in an N.C.O. club in Germany when the performer shared his belief that: “Music comes from the heart, you have to feel it to put it over.” Interestingly, I’ve heard the same thing from Sam Falcetti over the years . . .

ORGAN DEPARTMENT

LEVERETT BARR

 Keyboard Advisor

Lev has enjoyed the opportunity to share his lifelong interest in music with our Play Forever Program participants since 2002. He’s found it meaningful to be part of the organ events, classes, and individual sessions and to see the impact these programs have had in terms of bringing joy to and expanding people’s lives. Lev has bestowed upon us the benefit of his previous track record of many years of professional success in relationship building and sales (rising to a vice president at Xerox Corporation).

A primarily self-taught musician, Lev performs, together with his wife, Joni, in a variety of church choirs and services and plays the organ, piano, guitar and accordion.

RON CHWALEK

Play Forever Keyboard Advisor

Ron began taking music lessons at Falcetti Music at age 5. He received his music degree from Westfield State College. He has worked for Falcetti Music for over 20 years and has held a variety of positions during this time. He has been involved with the group lessons from the beginning as a teacher and is a friendly and dedicated keyboard advisor.

RICHIE MITNICK

Product Specialist and Concert Artist

If you are fortunate enough to take a class, sit down with, or listen to Richie Mitnick play, you will be in for a most memorable treat. Richie is a rare gem of a man who truly loves what he does and brings tremendous joy to the lives he touches in our musical community.

Richie’s passion for music began as a keyboardist in his native New York City. Since moving to western Massachusetts in 1979, he has performed at countless concert venues where he continues to be in demand and sought after by those who enjoy hearing a master play the great standards, show tunes, light jazz and contemporary music he is known for.