In the Game: Music and Multiple Sclerosis

In the Game: Music and Multiple Sclerosis is the author’s story of his rise in the music profession, only to have his career cut short by multiple sclerosis. Following a quick rise as a professional musician, he describes the first moment a strange malady is discovered while trying to jog through to an eventual diagnosis fifteen years later.

In the Game: Music and Multiple Sclerosis begins with the author’s story of his rise and success in the music profession. Described as “being in the game,” he lays out his method for success in one of the most difficult professions in America. Following a quick rise as a professional musician, he explains the first moment a strange malady is discovered while trying to jog, through to an eventual diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis fifteen years later. The last part of the book is a researched critique of the medical profession from how MS is diagnosed and treated to how the greater research community and America’s political system are failing MS sufferers. Now “in the game” of multiple sclerosis, he documents learning how to live and prosper while having MS.

Biography John M. Laverty, Professor of Music, joined the faculty of Syracuse University in 1995 serving as Director of Bands until 2012. Currently he teaches conducting, jazz history, and music education courses. A native of Winchester, Kentucky, he has held faculty positions at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Florida, and McMurry University. He holds degrees from the University of Kentucky and Florida State University. A versatile musician, he has performed at state, regional, national, and international music festivals including the College Band Directors National Association, The World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the Syracuse Jazz Festival, the Notre Dame Jazz Festival, and the Mobile Jazz Festival. As a trumpet player, he has performed internationally with numerous professional orchestras and bands including the American Chamber Winds, the Abilene Philharmonic, the New Columbian Brass Band, the national touring company of The Producers, the Excelsior Cornet Band, and with Grammy and Tony award winners in both the classical and jazz arenas. He has performed in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Caribbean, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Singapore, Sweden and throughout the United States. As a recording producer, he is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences with over forty recordings to his credit. He has recorded with acclaimed musicians such as Joe Alessi, Stanley Drucker, Andy Russo, Corey Cerovsek, Ursula Oppens, Vince DiMartino, Rob Parton, Scott Hartman, John Daniel, and Todd Reynolds to name a few. In 2007, pianist Andy Russo’s John Corigliano Violin Sonata Etude Fantasy received a Grammy nomination in the Best Chamber Music Performance category, available on the Black Box label. Other credits include Boston Brass’ Ya’ Gotta Try (Summit Records), a collaboration with jazz recording legend Rudy Van Gelder, and the first recording of Kurt Vonnegut’s libretto for Igor Stravinsky’s Histoire du Soldat (Summit Records). His most recent recording with the Syracuse University Wind Ensemble is Syracuse University Wind Ensemble and Friends (Mark Records). His other recordings are available from JVC-Victor, Centaur, Gazebo, Raven, MSR Classics, and Endeavour Classics labels. Many of his recordings are available from Apple’s iTunes Store or through Amazon.com. An accomplished music arranger, his works have been performed throughout the world by high school, collegiate and professional ensembles including “The President's Own” United States Marine Band, the Millennium Brass Quintet, The Excelsior Cornet Band, the Allentown Band, The Salt City Jazz Collective, The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, The Stan Colella Orchestra, and by renowned soloists such as Stanley Drucker (principal clarinet, New York Philharmonic), Karl Leister (principal clarinet, Berlin Philharmonic), Frank Kaderabek (principal trumpet, Philadelphia Orchestra), and NYPD tenor Daniel Rodriguez.