21-year-old Joe Giacinto recently got the chance to live out his dream by playing the National Anthem at a major sporting event for the Atlanta Hawks. <\/p>\n
MESA, Ariz. \u2014 A Mesa clarinet player, who\u2019s blind and autistic, recently got the chance to live out his dream by playing the National Anthem at a major sporting event for the Atlanta Hawks.<\/p>\n
21-year-old Joe Giacinto spoke with 12News, sharing more on how it all happened and his message for others aspiring to learn.<\/p>\n
Giacinto was recorded playing the National Anthem before the Park University Buccaneers Women\u2019s Basketball home opener against Nelson in Gilbert.<\/p>\n
The caption on the video said, \u201cHis dream is to play the National Anthem at a major sporting event.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey posted video on Instagram, and it now has more than 2 million views,\u201d said Giacinto.<\/p>\n
That video has now reached more than 2.3 million views.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s crazy,\u201d he said. \u201cIt means a lot that so many people are inspired.\u201d<\/p>\n
NBA star Dominique Wilkins saw the video and flew him out from Phoenix to Atlanta to play the national anthem at an Atlanta Hawks game.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was amazing,\u201d said Giacinto. \u201cI\u2019ve never been to Atlanta, so I was very fortunate to have my mom come along with… a huge thanks to KultureCity.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said he could feel the excitement.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I could tell it was a very energetic crowd,\u201d he proclaimed. \u201cIt gave me the encouragement, and I was a little nervous at first, but like once I started playing, my fears just kind of melted away.\u201d<\/p>\n
And meeting Dominique Wilkins was something he will never forget.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really, really cool\u2026 so, I got to meet him as I was getting set up to play,\u201d he said. \u201cMy mom took some nice photos, and then during halftime I got to meet him again, took some more photos. He signed a jersey that I bought from Dick\u2019s, and I also gave him one of my business cards\u2026 yes, you know it says, \u2018Looking for gigs.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
After all, he\u2019s been playing for almost 10 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust the sound… I listened to classical music a lot when I was a child, and especially loved the clarinet solos,\u201d said Giacinto. \u201cIt soothed me so much\u2026 It\u2019s rich tone and beautiful sounds\u2026 it gives me the goosebumps.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is hard for him to pick a favorite tune to play, because he knows more than a hundred by heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know I can play genres, classical, jazz\u2026 jazz pop fusion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
And how long it takes to memorize a song varies.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt depends on the difficulty level, but usually two or three listens,\u201d said Giacinto.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s right – just two or three listens, and he\u2019s got it!<\/p>\n
And while we\u2019re all still in awe at how talented he is, he\u2019s still amazed by the popularity he\u2019s gained so quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is wild,\u201d said Giacinto. \u201cI was not expecting this.\u201d<\/p>\n
He shared the thrill of it all \u2013 living out his dream.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, because my family grew up listening to sports,\u201d he said. \u201cMy mom used to play basketball, high school and through college\u2026 my brothers currently play football.\u201d<\/p>\n
And so, Giacinto said this was his chance to get out there and do his part.<\/p>\n
For others out there aspiring to play?<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they try and put the effort in, they got this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Giacinto is encouraging you to live out your dream, too.<\/p>\n
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