Local superintendent writes a song for moms

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Coming from a musical background, Joseph Famularo, superintendent of schools in the Bellmore Public School District, has always enjoyed playing music — particularly the guitar — and being creative in general. Recently, he composed a song, dedicated to the type of person that is influential in most people’s lives: moms.

“Family is so important to everyone,” Famularo told the Herald last week. “Family is just critical for you know, raising children, creating security, nurturing and support — helpful for a child’s self-esteem, resilience and emotional well-being. That’s the foundation.”

Famularo said his own mom is 94, and an inspiration to his family. “I wrote this song, and it’s really an expression of gratitude towards her and all the mothers for their sacrifices, love and care they give throughout their entire life,” he said. “That’s where it came from.”

Famularo has been playing the guitar since he was 7 and has encouraged his family members to have music in their lives as well. “Many of my family members play instruments, we’re always playing music around the house,” he said. “I think it’s a great way to express yourself, reduce stress. I love creating and writing — I’ve done that my whole life.”

His song for moms, titled “Thank You Mother,” was not the first time Famularo has written a piece. “My daughter got married last summer, so I wrote the father-daughter dance, and that was really special,” he explained. “So this was really just an opportunity to just thank my mom and all moms for what they do each and every day. That’s what the expression of this song was.”

Famularo had some help getting the piece together. His cousin, Paul Paoli, provided vocals, his other cousin Dakota Lupo did the sound engineering, and their friend, Roksana Smirnova played the piano and strings. The words and music, however, were solely composed by Famularo, and took a few months to create.

“It’s really just drafting, like you’re writing an essay,” he noted. “You would make your first draft, and then you start a second draft. And then you have some melodies in your mind that you write some songs with, so it’s a process and it’s really just my hobby.”

Reflecting on some components of the song, Famularo said: “One of the lines in the songs is ‘I know I should’ve said it some more, you never judge me, so I wrote this song for you to simply say thank you,’ and I think that’s really the message here, you know.

“People in our lives that are supporting us, whether you’re coming from the perspective of a child or a parent — maybe we should say thank you more, just show appreciation.”

To listen to Famularo’s song, visit TinyURL.com/FamularoSong.