Dear Roger,
I'm delighted to see that you too still are going forward and surmounting the obstacles.
It's heartening to see that Maestro Coppola still is conducting. He is able to communicate more with his baton than just about anyone else. Where others have to resort to talking, he conducts.
I have the new Corelli book. It has a couple of new chapters but otherwise is the same.
Stefan Zucker – owner – Bel Canto Society and Opera Fanatic
Dear Editor:
When you are diagnosed with a chronic progressive disease that can not be stop, slowed down and there is no cure your whole world stops spinning as your thoughts turn to your family and future. You ask yourself what are you going to do? I had not planned to develop Parkinson's disease at thirty six and become disabled at forty.
You become angry, bitter and depressed but you have to make a decision eventually, lie down and give up or pull yourself up by your boot straps dust your butt off, try to make a difference and help others who are going through the same thing.
I decided to start an awareness event and met Dr. Roger Geronimo from St. Augustine, Florida. Boy was I lucky he found my event on the web. He has been the first to sign up the last two years and performs each year. If the citizens of St. Augustine have not had the pleasure of hearing Roger, Karen and Martha perform they are missing an opportunity that is breadth taking. Karen Adair performed the National Anthem this year at Parkinson's In the Park. When she hit "land of the free and home of the brave" the rafters shook and you could have heard her a mile away.
Roger, who also has Parkinson's, is the true example of a professional, he represents the City of St Augustine with pride and respect. St. Augustine is lucky to have such a caring, compassionate member of their community. I asked Roger to perform the song "You Raise Me Up" as my way of thanking everyone that helped and attended. There was not a dry eye when he finished.
I presented the Jacob Ariel Mixson Humanitarian award to Roger. It is named in honor of my Daddy and based on the first recipient Terry Bowers from Waco, TX. I lost my Daddy when I was seventeen and had always wondered if he would be proud and said to me "Kaylee I am proud of you, I believe in what you are trying to do and don't let anyone stop you." For the first time I knew my Daddy was proud of me. Roger Geronimo has said those very same words to me. There are not very many people who can touch your heart and soul with words but I know where to find a few. One is in your hometown.
To Roger, Debbie, Karen and Martha my St Augustine Butterfly Buddies thank you for being my friend.
Kay Mixson Jenkins
Springfield, GA 31329
Roger Geronimo is a true professional! He provided our huge convention banquet, held at the Coronado Springs Disney Resort on July 1st, 2006, with a wonderful evening of song. His interaction with the audience and positive warm nature allowed the audience to feel welcomed. He provided insight to the song's origin and meaning which made the Italian songs more understandable.
Roger was on time, prepared and ready for the show in more ways than one. He went out of his way to accommodate the attendees with the written word for all his songs because our convention had CART, (words on the screen as it is spoken/sung). This was a Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) annual convention, attended by members and families from all over the USA and Canada. He was joined by his lovely and wonderful pianist, Martha McKie.
Roger is a sincere, warm, caring person on the inside as well as exceptional entertainer. I would hire him again in a heartbeat. I would encourage anyone and all to consider Roger Geronimo for their event!
Bravo Roger! and "Heartfelt Thank You" !
Lynn Rousseau
Fl. State Chapter Coordinator, HLAA. Chair, Hearing Loss Association of America 2006 Convention
Once again Roger, thank you so much for Saturday evening. Truly enjoyable.
My juices were flowing re: the great talent we have in St. Augustine, and my continuing dream to showcase the depth and variety. Be assured that I am committed to promoting the arts and culture in the new term, and performances like Saturday's Music for Hope concert for the Child Cancer Fund serve to reinforce that commitment.
George Gardner, Mayor of St. Augustine, Florida
Mr. Geronimo,
I wanted to thank you very much for the CD players. I am the ANM in the pediatric Cathlab. We get a variety of ages in our dept from newborn to adult. The addition of the CD players has helped decrease the patient’s anxiety level and enables them to relax and let the sedation do its job.
The physicians were very excited to have this addition to the Cathlab. They tell the patients to bring their favorite CD and we play it during the procedure. We just received the CD's for relaxation, I am sure that it will also help with the anxiety level.
Thanks again, it was a wonderful gesture and certainly an asset to our department.
Hope you have a wonderful day
Patti Nodae RN, BSN
Assistant Nurse Manager
Pediatric Cathlab Wolfson Children’s Hospital
Roger,
I don’t believe that I will ever be able to fully express my gratitude to you. You are truly an amazing man; an angel bent to us mere mortals from God himself. Your faith in my abilities, my voice, and most of all in me are a thing of beauty. I know for a fact that I would not be doing what I’m doing now if it weren’t for you and the opportunities and support you have given me. My greatest hope is that one day I might begin to be worthy of your pride. With all my thanks and my care,
Alicia Day
From the St. Augustine Record:
"We wish to comment on the recent concert sponsored by the Sons of Italy at the Lightner Museum. It was a delightful evening of Italian songs, duets, Broadway tunes, and opera. We have been living in St. Augustine for many years and the performers were truly the best we've ever seen. The pianist, Reginald Hache' of Boston Pops Fame, was very good as the accompanist and we greatly enjoyed his two concertos. The guest artist for the evening was Katherine Cromly, a lovely soprano from Jacksonville Beach. She sang with such beauty, and emotion, especially her opera arias, with many bravos from the audience all evening. We've not heard anything like her since living in St Augustine. The principal performer for the evening was Dr. Roger Geronimo, an Italian tenor. From reading the program and hearing his own words, this magnificent tenor suffers from Parkinson's Disease. Well it certainly hasn't affected his vocal chords. Whether it was an Italian love song (which he sang to his girlfriend asking her to join him on stage), or the most difficult of the tenor arias, Dr. Geronimo sang with grace, emotion, and displayed the most beautiful ringing high notes at all times. His sense of humor coupled with his brother, Dennis the MC, (who explained the Italian arias and introduced the performers), completed this wonderful evening. When Katherine and Roger finished accepting the wild standing ovations after concluding with their incredible duet, "Time to Say Goodbye," we thought to ourselves, "Now this is the type and quality of entertainment we need here in the St. Augustine area." Bravo to all !!"
Bud and Helen Christoffel, St. Augustine, FL
"Hi Roger - I had a chance to listen to your Voice. I am in the music business but work with Country Music artists. Your voice brought back a beautiful childhood memory of great voices behind great movies. You can paint a picture with your voice! You are one of the greats, Roger, and if I can help, I will! Best Regards."
Ken Pearson, CEO, Bluesprings Music Group
"Dearest Roger - Thank you so much for your gifts and for me to be your guest. I was truly honored and touched by your God-given talents and love for others. And all of this despite PD! You are truly a blessing to know. Continue to use your talents, for myself and others are changed forever at the beauty of your voice."
"Dear Roger - Congrats on a great show! I heard nothing but good feedback. We'd love to have you at the wedding in April. Look forward to seeing you again!"
Scott, St. Augustine
"Hi Roger - I am really impressed with your performance and energy and dedication. I really admire you. You are the first experience I have had with Opera. I have listened to Phantom, never seen it, but I loved the music. I really am grateful for the opportunity you have given to me and pressed me to get back into the learning of my music!"
Christy, St. Augustine
“Dear Roger, I want to thank you for the wonderful opportunity to sing at the “Music for Hope” concert at Jacoby Hall. . It was an experience I will never forget. I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You are such an inspiration and I only hope that I can someday be as wonderful a performer as you! “
From a voice student and aspiring Broadway Star
“Roger Dear, just a quick note to let you know we are both listening to your new Flagler College radio station program. May I say that you are truly wonderful. I am now a fan of your lovely speaking voice and what a delight to hear this truly great music. May it always continue playing.”
Blessings, Maria
“Roger, I loved your singing. You also occasionally do an improvisational speaking/phrasing thing on a couple of songs. I know this because I studied jazz for some years in college. When I heard you sing “O Sole Mio” I thought of my own ½-Italian son and began to get weepy!”
Earon
“Kudos to Ralph and Roger for their Katrina Relief Fund Concert for their performance and for all their moving performances “
Angela
"I'm deeply touched. Working with you is a gift and privilege, Roger. This month is our one year anniversary, since the beach concert of December 2004!! It was cold that night, but this year working with you has made me so very very glad that I was there working with you!!"