Mancini, Frank, 1886-1964

American music educator and conductor.

Born in Italy in 1886, Mancini moved to the United States in 1907 and went on to become an important educator and conductor in the Modesto, California area, directing band programs in the public school system and the local junior college for a period of four decades. Mancini was elected into the American Bandmasters Association in 1940.

Frank Mancini (1886-1964) studied the clarinet while growing up in Italy. He came to the United States in 1907 to play as a soloist with Ellerys Royal Italian Band. Between 1908 and 1915, he played with both Sousas and Conways bands, as well as numerous opera companies.

Mancini settled in Modesto, California, in 1921 to lead the Stanislaus County Boys Band. He became an important educator and conductor in the area for the next four decades, directing the band programs in the Modesto Public Schools and Modesto Junior College. His bands won many awards, and Mancini was very active as a guest conductor and adjudicator. Mancini taught noted band composer Roger Nixon at Modesto Junior College from 1938-1940. Mancini was elected into the American Bandmasters Association in 1940 at the convention in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Mancini had a close relationship with the community of Modesto. In their wills, Mancini and his wife left cash, stocks, and other investments for a considerable music scholarship fund for music students at Modesto High School. They also left their 23-acre ranch to the City of Modesto, later dedicated Mancini Park.