Rosario Mazzeo began his serious musical training when he was 17 years old under Gaston Hamelin, then-principal clarinetist for the Boston Symphony. Five years later, he was invited to join the Boston Symphony by its conductor, Serge Koussevitsky, and he remained with the orchestra until his retirement in 1966.

After retiring from the symphony and moving to California, Mr. Mazzeo focused on teaching and ensemble playing, joining the faculty of the University of California at Santa Cruz and founding its Crown Chamber Players. He also conducted master classes at universities and conservatories across the country.

In 1981, he wrote "The Clarinet: Excellence and Artistry" as well as numerous journal articles. He was working on another book at the time of his death July 19, 1997.

Rosario Mazzeo Clarinetist Inventor Educator, Performances from the Chamber Music and Orchestral Repertoire