City of Middletown Music Ambassador 2024

The Middletown Commission on the Arts (MCA) has announced the 2024 awardee of the title Music Ambassador. Sam Vinci Day will be celebrated Tuesday, January 30, 2024 in the City of Middletown. 

Middletown native Sam Vinci, a musician and bandleader in the Sam Vinci Band, the Sam Vinci Orchestra, and other groups, has performed popular music from American standards to traditional Italian and Sicilian favorites at concerts and celebrations since the 1940’s. Most notably, Sam, now 91, is the only living founding member of the band providing the music for the Saint Sebastian Feast, having played for the festival for over seven decades. The seventh piece of sheet music in the band’s music book, the Italian song “Caderna”, has become Sam’s signature piece and is widely known and loved in Middletown as “Number 7”. 

In addition to being recognized for their valuable artistic and creative contributions, the Music Ambassador’s music will be the featured “music on hold” for all City phones. While the City strives to answer calls promptly and avoid putting people on hold, when those occasions do occur, callers will hear the music of our local musician and band leader Sam Vinci. Mayor Florsheim stated, “The MCA and I are looking forward to hearing Sam’s music showcased this year. My office often receives compliments and inquiries about the hold music that is played on our phones, and I anticipate many wonderful compliments when callers enjoy his music.” The City endeavors to elect similar ambassadors annually, highlighting the great talent that exists within our City limits.

A ceremony in Sam Vinci’s honor will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 2:00-3:30 pm in Council Chambers at City Hall. The day will be proclaimed Sam Vinci Day in the City of Middletown.