For the past 37 years, Ken Tedeschi has been teaching music in North Haven schools. Following his first year teaching in Weston, Tedeschi taught at North Haven Middle School (NHMS) for 10 years before moving to North Haven High School (NHHS) in 1994. At the end of this year, he will retire.

Tedeschi has worked with generations of students over the years as he has taught band and various ensembles and orchestras. In addition to enjoying being in the classroom, some of his favorite times include trips with the band, performing at football games, and being part of the school musicals.

“It was about moving through rehearsals to peak for the trips where we tried to do as good as possible and achieve as many superior ratings as possible,” said Tedeschi. “The football games were always a highlight and the band enjoyed a good relationship with the team and the electric and fun atmosphere. I enjoyed doing the musicals every year. The shows were always a lot of fun, especially Chicago with an all-student band and Phantom last year.”

While Tedeschi has enjoyed his time teaching, he is now looking forward to beginning his next chapter in retirement. He plans to spend more time with his wife, who retired from teaching in recent years. The couple enjoys dining out, golf, and traveling.

Though he will be retiring from teaching, Tedeschi will not be leaving music behind. He is hoping that with COVID restrictions easing, there will be more opportunities for gigs at weddings, churches, and other events.

Sarah Iadarola has worked with Tedeschi there for the past seven years, though she was familiar with him before their work connection. She was excited to be able to work with Tedeschi as a beginning teacher and has collaborated on several projects with him in the past seven years.

“My husband Ralph is a former student of his—and the current NHMS band teacher—and when we first met in college, I would hear stories of his high school band experience and how influential his band teacher was on his own decision to pursue music education as a career,” said Iadarola. “He helped me develop my confidence as an educator so that I might bring out the best in my students. He’s an extremely supportive and kind friend, I am grateful for all he has done to help me become a better musician and teacher.”

Knowing that Tedeschi has also been involved with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) for more than 25 years, Iadarola reached out to NHSO Chief Executive Officer Elaine Carroll as well as Dan Camenga, the symphony’s development director, about ways to honor Tedeschi upon his retirement.

“I approached the New Haven Symphony about finding ways for the community to express their gratitude for Ken’s work as an educator in a retirement gift that would also foster the kind of musical learning that has been a hallmark of his teaching,” said Iadarola. “Together with their colleagues, [Carroll and Camenga] committed their annual Great Give initiative specifically to this goal, so that funds would support an enduring relationship between NHSO and North Haven instrumental students. Future students will benefit from coaching sessions, concerts, and other collaborative experiences with professional musicians in our community.”

Tedeschi was “flattered and humbled by the generous outpouring.” While Tedeschi will be retiring at the end of this year, he is looking forward to several events to close out the school year and his career at NHHS. He will lead the band in the Memorial Day Parade, a concert on the North Haven Green on Tuesday, June 8, as well as at events such as senior awards night and graduation. Tedeschi is grateful to be able to have these events as many of the longtime traditions didn’t happen in the past year due to COVID.

“It was a little sad not to be able to do a trip, put on a full-blown musical, or have another football season, but I really feel like my career has been long enough that I’m fulfilled,” said Tedeschi, who is thankful for the support the arts have received from the administration and the community. “I’ve really enjoyed the job and loved it all these years. It’s never really felt like work. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of getting groups to sound as good as possible and the connections with students and colleague that ensued from that process is very terrific.”