Experience>>>
Music>>>
Michael has much experience performing various instruments.  He has taken piano under Dr. Clarissa Behr Davis (1995-2004) and Dr. Jackie Edwards-Henry (2005-present).  He has played the piano, cello, and saxophone for the St. Michael's Catholic Church 8:30 Mass choir in addition to regularly conducting the choir since 2002.  He has played saxophone since 1997 and cello since 2002.  Upon moving to Starkville, MS in 2004, he joined on piano and cello with the St. Joseph Catholic Church 5:30 Mass Choir.  He has had the honor to serve as head drum major for the Famous Maroon Band, the MSU 350 member marching band, from fall 2007 to spring 2010.  In spring he plays saxophone for the MSU Concert Band.  Since starting his music career, he has played for hundreds of services and special functions.
The following pages link to some of Michael's recordings.  Below is a Gershwin Prelude recorded about six years ago.
Wedding Music

Bach Prelude and Fugue

Moonlight Sonata

Church Music
Other items in his repertoire:

Fugative Vision Op.22, No 1 - Prokofiev
Moonlight Sontata Op. 27 No. 2 - Beethoven
Invenction in C major BWV 772 - Bach
Aria in G Major, HWV 441 - Handel
Sonata in D Major Hob. 16/37 Mvmt.1 'Allegro con Brio' - Haydn
Clair de Lune - Debussy
The Entertainer - Joplin
Rhapsody in G Minor Op. 79 no. 2 - Brahms
Performances>>>
Michael is available to perform for weddings, receptions, background music for dinners, formal and informal, prayer services, Masses or any other special event as needed.  He can perform solo (mix and match instruments) or  in an ensemble on the keyboard (piano and organ), alto saxophone, and cello.  He is also available to coordinate music.

Michael has a broad repertoire, including most wedding standards:  Cannon in D, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Ode to Joy, Wedding March, Claire de Lune, et cetera.  He is familiar with over 300 Catholic and Protestant hymns and can play several hours of light, background music without repetition. 

He can be booked for weddings for $150 on cello or saxophone and $200 on keyboard.  Included in the fee is  any number of the standard wedding songs or hymns and light background music before and after the ceremony.  However, the fee is subject to several factors:  number of requested special songs to learn (i.e. additional practice time), how long the event lasts, and, if necessary, travel and lodging.

Fees for other events are negotiable but still subject to the above factors.  To book, e-mail Michael at michael[at]battalio[dot]com with the subject line "book a performance.

  Gershwin Prelude
 

©2004-2009 Michael Battalio