DSN: I am thrilled to be able to share this video with you. Here’s the back story…
The film below was part of the Portland Public School’s Film Depository in 1973. I ordered a copy to review for my woodworking students. I have seen this film over 50 times and watched two times today! Caveat, it is not about woodworking.
For a 22 year old teacher, this was a life changing experience. I freely admit that deep down, I wanted to be just like Dominick Calicchio, which of course is impossible – as you will soon see, he is one of a kind.
Today, I received permission to post this on this Totally Awesome and Worthless Blog for you, and all members of the Drivel Starved Nation. That said, I do hope you take the time to view it, it is approx 20 minutes long. Works well on an iPad if you have a wmv viewer like Azul.
As always, your comments are welcome.
-John
Click below to view. This is a .wmv file and you may need to add extensions to your browser to view it. I do not have permission to post this movie to more standard viewers like Vimeo or YouTube. FYI
“Each trumpet has 200 parts each made by hand by Calicchio.” Simply amazing that there is that much to an instrument and that one man has mastered making all of them.
John,
Did you ever meet Mr. Calicchio? I see that his business is still in operation by others.
-Rutager
Wow, John. That was amazing (a direct quote from Gillian). That sort of craftsmanship just makes me feel warm all over. Such dedication and striving for improvements – constant experimentation. It just underscores that even an ancient craft like trumpet-making is still living.
Thanks so much for sharing this. I can think of quite a few people who I would like to see profiled like that…
— Peter
I wished I had met him. That said, his video, for me, is equally, if not, more important.
-John
Thanks for posting that.
Since I was very young, I always got goosebumps when watching someone make something.
This video had that effect.
John, you said that deep down you wanted to be just like Dominick Calicchio. I think perhaps that’s what’s wrong with our society: there aren’t enough people wanting – really wanting – to do what they do. They wake up every morning hating the fact that they have to do what they do to survive. If more people pursued their passion, and if our society recognized and rewarded that pursuit, I think our world would be a better place. Imagine a society in which people excel at something – every one of them. People drive themselves to do better and be better. Perhaps that’s why we revere athletes – that’s what they do. It’s too bad we don’t recognize the trumpet makers, the teachers, the furniture builders, the photographers and artists – the people who are constantly trying to push themselves and their craft.
— Peter
I bet that Colicchio never bought a lottery ticket. I think they’re another symptom of what’s wrong with us as a society: people wasting their money hoping that they’ll get rich without effort. If you really loved your work, why waste your money on lottery tickets? The work is its own reward. And then it’s not work.
I’m betting that the DSN has more than its fair share of people who love what they do.
— Peter
That’s an excellent video. I have a great appreciation for the level of craft he applies to his instruments. I was surprised to see his company is still around! Horns start at around $3K…
Don’t know if you have seen the documentary – ‘Note by Note’ on the making of a Steinway piano. Maybe 4 years or so old, but an excellent film.
PBS also has an excellent series ‘Craft in America’ with videos available via iTunes. http://www.craftinamerica.org
Thanks for sharing.
neil
Great video. I truly enjoy watchung someone who has ataained this level of achievement in their craft. The amazinug thing is he strives to make each one better and continue to refine. We lose a lot of that in the Assembly Line cost oriented society we are.
Thanks for the video John.
By coincidence, this morning I read for the umpteenth time about the 3D printing “revolution” that is going to simultaneously create jobs and displace traditional means of production (the assembly lines that displaced the likes of Colicchio will be displaced by robotic factories).
I can easily imagine a few years from now being able to order a BCTW item and having it made and shipped immediately. Or downloading the CAD drawing (legally, of course…) and pinting the thing.
I am a big fan of 3D printing, it suits my progressive way of thinking. That said, it is way over-hyped at the moment. But make no mistake, there will come a day when certain types of manufacturing are decentralized down to the home level.
I am working on a genetically modified sheep gene that will allow sheep to harvest and knit cardigan sweaters without human supervision.
Wish me luck!
-John
Land sakes! Have to find new ways to keep you Iowa boys away from the sheep, don’t we?
Anyhow, I’m something of a latter-day luddite, but 3D printing has my imagination caught. I dream of the jigs one could make…someone like Calicchio would instantly have customized tooling at his command.
We purchased a bench vise that needed a spacer. Rather than make one out of wood or metal, I just printed it, holes and all. Worked great. Of course ours is used primarily to help quantify ergonomic decisions, once you start using it, it is always in the back of your mind as a potential solution.
“…For this people will remember me.” Do you think this is the true reason many if not all toil at a craft not valued by most?
Good post. I can only speak for me, but the answer is an unequivocal yes. Considering our time is finite, “makers”‘ whether it be music, painting, sculpture, writing, tools, furniture, etc, can be a memorable force that continues long past our breathing tenure.
Sometimes when you come from a “you will never amount to anything” environment, surprising things happen.
-John