"Omega" is the pseudonym attached to any musical endeavor involving James Castelli. Usually he is the composer and sole (or prime) performer of all instruments, and is often his own engineer/producer, though once in a while an actual "band" is formed, or an ensemble performs a piece, or he is enlisted as a supporting musician in someone else's pet project, in which case the music is "borrowed" for inclusion on an Omega CD. But these are relatively rare events.
James Castelli is primarily a drummer/percussionist, having begun private lessons around age 9 with Dino Fiocchi. Very soon he realized that he was much more interested in writing his own music than playing the music of others, so he began recording in 1984 (these recordings are now lost; the first "official" Omega recording dates October 1985). Soon it became clear that drums and voice weren't enough to realize his ambitions, so he taught himself how to play piano. During this time in high school he was the most productive (a case of quantity over quality, in most cases) and was involved with a few bands and group of musicians which did little else but provide a vehicle for his ideas and a band to perform his music. Everything else he did solo with overdubs, which, due to his technique and equipment, lent much of this music with a decidedly lo-fi amateurish charm.
His piano chops made him an ideal choice for playing the xylophone in high school ensembles, being the only percussionist who could "read notes" (insert drummer stereotype jokes here). This ability led him unexpectedly into the world of classical percussion (instead of jazz drumming) in college. His love of songwriting morphed into the field of composition, and "just in case" he took education classes as well.
After a year at Penn State, James Castelli studied at Rowan University in New Jersey with Harold Oliver (composition) and Dean Witten (percussion) and graduated with a bachelor's degree in music in 1996. During that time he wrote numerous "classical" compositions and played keyboards in the local band "Hygh Risque." His private recordings, however, were no longer "live" as he moved to direct line sequencing with his Korg M-1.
After graduating and spending a summer in Pisa, Italy, performing improvisations with dancers and electronic music in ancient ruins, he spent five years at the University of Miami where he focused on composition. He studied with Dennis Kam and John Van der Slice there and earned both a Master's and Doctoral Degree. By the time he graduated, James had over 50 compositions to his name (all performed except his doctoral essay for orchestra), mostly at the university but also around the country at various conventions.
Since the heady days of college James Castelli has experienced the political bureaucracy of the public school system. During this time he wrote no "classical" music or played in any bands, but instead released his most polished CDs yet, from which the music for this site has been drawn. (Anybody REALLY interested in the older stuff must, by definition, REALLY be a fan, and is welcome to request to hear such things from the maestro himself.) During this time he also learned how to play the guitar a little better, out of necessity! (Singing, too, has been done from necessity and seldom is the listener treated to the talents of a guest singer.) After a break from public education to teach some college music courses, James has returned public education and started teaching private lessons and the odd college or adult education class. The freedom and opportunity once again permitted performances of his work and the composition of his first serious piece in four years - his fifth string quartet - and percussion ensemble arrangements.
October 2005 marked the 20th anniversary of the existance of OMEGA. Unfortunately, the CD marking this event came a year late (October/November 2006) - he apologies for this announcement itself being a year beyond that! Since then he has worked on and off with local cover bands and "released" two compilation CDs and most recently an EP of some new material with instrumental remixes of other recent songs.All of his percussion ensemble compositions are available for purchase through Steve Weiss Music ( www.steveweissmusic.com ).
James' most recent interest is the combined hobbies of astronomy and photography. The results of this can be enjoyed at his other myspace page: Cheese on Fire , his astronomy blog: James Castelli's Photography , or the South Jersey Astronomy Club's new website , where the logo he created is displayed.
