Getting to Know Mr. Fudale

We interviewed Joseph Fudale, the student teacher for band and orchestra. His expertise is in clarinet and he studied at Baldwin Wallace University. Check out our interview below to learn more about him.

GW: So you are basically Westlake’s music program’s latest obsession, how does that make you feel?

JF: I would say, I feel very honored to be here. I really love the student body, the band, the little bit I have seen from choir, and the orchestra. I am very honored to be welcomed here.

GW: What instrument do you play?

JF: I am a clarinet primary, but I had to learn to play everything for majoring in music.

GW: Did you always know you wanted to be a music teacher?

JF:  For as long as I can remember- yes. Because I come from a family where my uncle and my grandpas were both band directors and teachers. I have been around that for a long time, so I always knew I wanted to do that. Couple years in the middle of high school, I had some other interest that I maybe wanted to explore. But for the most part I wanted to do music.

GW: Who is the biggest inspiration in your life?

JF: Oh gosh, the biggest inspiration so far is Professor Laura Joss at BW. She is the instrumental education music professor and she has been my mentor for the past four years. I have learned so much from watching her teach. So she is my biggest inspiration.

GW: What kind of music do you enjoy the most?

JF: When I am conducting, that really depends. Even with all the pieces we have in band and orchestra, my favorite one switches everyday. For the most part I love classical and Romantic music. Whenever we play music that ties into that, or anything that ties into that style, I really enjoy it.

GW: What is the most favorite piece you’ve ever played?

JF: I will say, I don’t think I can answer that. I really like, with BW we played Tchaikovsky 5th symphony on tour, it was fun to play that a billion times. Most recently, that has been my favorite piece. 

GW: What is your favorite color?

JF: My favorite color is green. 

GW: Who is your favorite composer?

JF: My favorite composer is Brahms, and because in all of orchestral literature, he wrote a lot of repertoire for clarinet. 

GW: Outside of band/orchestra, what is your favorite genre of music?

JF: I love pop music, so whatever is on the radio, or what is popular. I love Demi Lovato or Nick Jonas or any of that pop music because it is very catchy. It’s also a break from all that score study and fancy stuff.

GW: Have you ever had any moments that define who you are today? If so, would you mind sharing?

JF: I would say in general, the opportunity I had exploring performing and teaching outside of a normal college. Like at BW, I worked as an assistant director for their youth program and giving that extra opportunity to work alongside professor and to teach more than you are just allocated in a normal college.

GW: What is your favorite movie?

JF: Oh gosh, my favorite TV show is Grey’s Anatomy. My favorite movie series is always Harry Potter. Other than that, I love Melissa McCarthy, anything that she’s in I would go see. 

GW: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

JF: Europe. I’ve never been to Europe and I want to go so bad. I’ve only been to Mexico and Canada. So Europe is next on my list and I want to go see all the music sites and everything.

GW: What is your favorite thing about playing the clarinet?

JF: I love that the clarinet is a very versatile instrument. It has a lot of solo works. But also it is a standard instrument in orchestra repertoire and wind ensemble, so you really can play whatever you want. Also, I always tell people when I am trying to get people to play clarinet, I would tell them that the clarinet has huge range. You can play really high and low, so it’s like the violin, it has a tremendous range.

GW: If you weren’t a music teacher, what would you be doing today?

JF: I would still be a teacher. I thought about being a world language teacher, because I really love Spanish and wanted to learn French too.

GW: Could you imagine doing freelance music?

JF: Yes, I would play around. I still take some gigs once and awhile, like a pit orchestra or a Church job for Christmas Eve. I feel that kind of stuff is really fun.

GW: What is your favorite food?

JF: I think my favorite food is mac-and-cheese.

GW: What are your other hobbies?

JF: Oh Gosh, that is a weird question to think about when all you do is music. I am a very sociable person, so I like to spend time with friends and family. We always go out shipping, out to eat, or sit on the couch and watch Netflix. Really, anything that involves being around other people.