St. Mary music director exits on a high note

Looking back on his eight-and-a-half years as music director at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, Michael Tucci says he has met many wonderful people.

Tucci came in October 1978 to Sarasota from New York City to join his older brother, Joseph, who had retired here.

Prior to leaving New York, Tucci had been national sales manager for a residential design company, but he has had a wide-ranging career.

He attended collage and seminary in New Jersey, but his talent in running special events and productions led him to the theater and arts.

Among his activities were creating fundraising events for the Catholic Actors Guild, director of social services of the Actors Fund of America, general manager of a performing-arts facility in Dallas and working with a housing and services project.

Music has always been a part of his life.

“I played the piano and sang ever since I can remember,” he says.

When he arrived in Sarasota, he intended to work with local theater groups but a chance meeting with a Holmes Beach priest who needed help with music in his church changed his plans.

At St. Mary, he has directed the choir, does all the weekend liturgies, trains cantors and soloists, produces the annual Christmas Eve concert and plays for all the weddings (brides are always late!) and funerals. One of his favorite events is the annual cabaret show.

“There is so much talent in the congregation,” Tucci says. “Father Pick is a great performer, and my favorite was his ‘Brush Up on Your Shakespeare.’ Father Gerry also takes part.”

And should you want to perform but insist you can’t sing? Not to worry.

“I can get anyone to sing,” Tucci says. “It’s a matter of gaining their confidence and a little patience.”

Although Tucci won’t be at the piano and leading the choir, he says he will still be around.

He plans to spend some of his new free time continuing his personal advocacy program with the elderly in assisted-living homes and with Alzheimer’s patients.

“I get such affirmation from this, and it helps me to understand my own self better,” he says.

The congregation will honor Tucci at a reception at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29.

With a big smile, Tucci adds: “On Jan. 30, I‘ll be on a plane to New York, where I’m going to catch up on Broadway shows and visit lots of friends, but I’ll be back.”