In Search of Meaning - Frank L. Battisti: The Conservatory Years and into the New Millenium Paperback – August 1, 2019

This book is a real page turner that provides plenty of interesting personal accounts, correspondence and heartfelt reflections about Frank L. Battisti’s career devoted to wind ensemble music. The book also contains numerous appendixes detailing Battisti’s concert programs along with references to many other books, articles and authors connected to him. This is truly a treasure trove for anyone who is involved with or wants to learn more about wind ensemble music-making with special regards to Battisti’s influence and passion for the art.

Dr. Lutch has assembled a wide and rich array of resources to put together an important and engrossing book on the life of one of music education's most iconic figures, Frank Battiste. The book is well researched, well structured, and highly readable. The recollections and stories spread across the historical narrative of the wind ensemble make a compelling, enjoyable, and deeply personal story.

After a long career in the band world, i was well-acquainted with the name Frank Battisti, but I never had any personal interaction with him. This book brings him to life in a most personal way, and makes me feel now like he is an old friend. A very enjoyable read and a most worthwhile addition to the literature.

I was delighted to recently come upon this volume, documenting conductor Frank Battisti’s 30+ years of cultivating the growth of wind ensemble performance, repertoire and study at New England Conservatory in Boston, MA from 1969 to 1999.Fortunately, in the early 90’s I was lucky enough to have crossed paths and studied withMr. Battisti for several years, and the indelible mark of that growth experience endures to this day. This book was a very interesting view into many of his contributions which were previously unknown or only peripherally known to me.Here, author Mitchell Lutch provides a warmly human, nuanced, yet concise accounting of Battisti’s distinct contributions to the growth of wind ensemble as a respected medium for serious artistry, during his NEC period. Readers will find a panoramic view encompassing Battisti’s relationships with prominent composers such as Warren Benson, Karel Husa, and John Harbison, and Gunther Schuller which he continuously worked hard to nurture, generous contributions by some of the 20th century’s leading wind ensemble conductors, including Frederick Fennell, Donald Hunsberger, and Craig Kirchoff, and even reflections from his family.One surprise that only deepened my respect for Battisti’s success, was the commentary by his wife, and adult children---which defied the stereotype of the monomaniacal musician whose exhaustive devotion to his art is an allowance for a more distant parental role. Not the case in the Battisti household.In addition to a compelling story, readers will find copious helpful appendices listing details not only of concert programs from NEC, Ithaca College, and the Longy School, but listing Battisti’s many commissions, as well as pieces commissioned by others in his honor. Travel logs, and even rehearsal planning documents also enrich the author’s detailed collection.The author’s portrait thoughtfully reveals Battisti as a uniquely creative, industrious, and inspiring teacher, conductor, author, and tireless advocate for the rich artistic possibilities of the wind medium.I thoroughly enjoyed gaining a deeper appreciation for Battisti’s many contributions, and highly recommend Lutch’s inviting, human, yet thorough exploration of this unique human being.

This is a phenomenal book about one of America’s greatest music educators.

You don’t have to be a musician to appreciate the story of a great role model in music education. Dr. Mitchell Lutch presents the work of Frank L. Battisti from his time at Ithaca High School through his work at the New England Conservatory and beyond. Battisti is a music visionary who introduced concerts to PBS, created youth programs for wind ensembles, commissioned new musical works and brought people together though regional, national and international symphonic band associations and conferences. And that's just a small list of his accomplishments. If you like music education, this book is for you