Running on rhythm: Nick Cassarino ’27, student-athlete and trumpet player
Running on rhythm: Nick Cassarino ’27, student-athlete and trumpet player
By Christopher Machado
Nick Cassarino ’27 might be a Division I runner, but he doesn’t have a one-track mind. He’s an accountancy major, a finance minor, and an accomplished trumpet player who has taken an inherited passion for the instrument and excelled on a national level.
Cassarino, from Durham, Connecticut, has been playing the trumpet since fourth grade. But his family’s relationship with the instrument dates back generations — his grandfather bequeathed Cassarino his first trumpet, a trumpet that his grandfather played in Carnegie Hall.
While he plays many musical genres, Cassarino has a special place in his heart for jazz — another interest passed down through a collection of big band albums given to him by his grandfather.
“When I listen to them, they remind me why I play,” said Cassarino, who cites Chet Baker and Wynton Marsalis as his musical north stars.
While sentimentality played some role in Cassarino’s early playing days, William Longo, Ph.D., assistant professor of music, said Cassarino’s growth as a player runs parallel to what has made him a successful athlete — diligence and coachability.
“From my perspective, Nick’s success comes from consistency and intention. He maintains a disciplined daily practice routine, but he also understands that simply putting in time isn’t enough,” Longo said. “He practices with purpose and patience. He knows what he’s working on, why it matters, and he trusts the process even when progress isn’t linear.”
Cassarino is a member of the men’s cross country and track and field teams. He is a middle distrance runner, specializing in distances from the 800-meter to the mile.
Along with his coursework and athletic pursuits, he plays in Symphonic Winds, an ensemble of students and faculty and staff members that practices and performs concert music written by various composers. He credits Eric Melley, DMA, associate professor of music, for broadening his interests and encouraging him to be expressive in his playing.
“Dr. Melley encourages us to find the emotion in music,” Cassarino said. “Playing trumpet in the Symphonic Winds gives me the opportunity to express myself in a way that words cannot. I’m grateful for the opportunities Dr. Melley has given me to grow as a trumpeter, such as taking time to work with me one-on-one to help me improve my piccolo trumpet playing.”
In 2025, Cassarino’s talents earned him a spot as third-chair trumpet for the College Band Directors National Association Intercollegiate Band, a prestigious ensemble that features more than 100 musicians from across the country. He traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, to participate.
To be selected, Cassarino submitted an audition video performing two excerpts that were chosen by the conductor. Those auditions were ranked, and the top four were chosen to play first trumpet.
“I was really happy, and it was fun to play the first trumpet parts,” Cassarino said. “We played three songs with multiple movements. The composer of one of the songs was there and came to a rehearsal and worked with us to help us interpret the music, which was a really neat experience.”
Like any good teammate, Cassarino is quick to recognize the role others have played in his journey to become a better player.
“I would not be the trumpeter that I am today without Dr. Longo,” Cassarino said. “He has taught me invaluable techniques and has helped me in my journey to master the fundamentals of brass playing. Whenever I have a problem, Dr. Longo is the one I go to when I need help.”
Longo quickly deflects credit back to Cassarino.
“He is humble and gives a lot of credit to his professors and coaches, but it’s his own follow-through in the practice room that gets him there,” Longo said. “Nick’s ability to balance everything is genuinely impressive. To perform at this level while also meeting the expectations of a business curriculum and the time demands of collegiate athletics takes discipline, maturity, and exceptional time management. He represents PC extremely well.”
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