Dominick J. Salameda Band Scholarship

Link to Scholarship Application Here Scholarship Application due date is 5/3/24.

The Dominick J. Salameda Band Scholarship was created in 2024 by his son, Rob Salameda.  Dominick was a member of the UEHS Marching band in the late 1930s.  

Dominick's lifetime devotion to music was a hallmark in his family history.  At a very young age he was the first chair clarinetist in the Endicott Johnson Band.  He played both saxophone and clarinet inthe USA Army Band, the IBM Orchestra Band, and continued his career playing in many local bands including the Dick Naylor Orchetra.  His older sister was also very musical.  She taught piano to many area students including one individual who became Frank Sinatra's musical director.  

Nothing made Dominick happier or prouder than attending the UE football home games and watching the musical performances of the marching band.  He gleamed with price. 

Memories from his son, Rob Salamedia...

"I truly value the importance of student participation in the music department in every high school.  The vital degree of structure and commitment in the program exposes the student to immeasurable out-of-textbook lessons for their future.  I've witnessed this example over the past thirty-five years teaching as a part-time adjunct professor at SUNY-Broome and guest-lecturing at Binghamton University.

For many years I've seen UE marching band students spending August summer days lining up and practicing their rotations.  I thought how remarkable they were for such a long-term commitment when their actual performance may only get the crowd's momentary attention.  They wear no jerseys with numbers and their names are never voiced over the PA system. They have no weekly game statistics listed in the newspaper and are never on the local TV news.  Yet they are there rehearsing in the hot sun.  They are there for their love of music and that dedication deserves recognition and tribute.  The spirit of this gift is for all the musicians at UE High School and to the highest contributors who have inspired the others.

My father never told us much about his high school days. He was tall, quite muscular, and played high school sports until he nearly died from a ruptured appendix.  While it ended his athletic days he continued as a devoted musician.  If possible, I would like to see his high school yearbook if UE has any archives.  I just want look back at that time of his life.  There's one family legend about the time the UE Marching Band went to the Florida Orange Bowl in Miami.  One day the band members went to the beach and my father met a young girl there who later became a famous movie star.  Susan Hayward was evidently impressed with my dad because she often wrote him letters to his Endicott, Squires Ave home.  His younger sister would filch them from the mailbox and stroll about teasingly singing "Oh, Susanna," much to his annoyance.  A marching band member's life can have interesting anecdotes. 

Every year my father would attend the UE football home games.  He'd be bundled up and intensely focused on the field.  But when the marching band performed his eyes would gleam with extreme pride.  I didn't realize back then how much it  meant to him, but today I do, and I feel his devotion to his high school alma mater's musical program deserves this annual scholarship.

I wish you continued success and thank you for allowing me the privilege of honoring my father."