Marcelletti has directed the College's orchestra since 1997 and the chamber groups since 1996. He replaced Professor of Music Lewis Spratlan as the conductor. Marcelletti said that since then, the orchestra has undergone much growth.
"Now we have five concerts a year, not three, almost twice the budget and now there is credit for the orchestra," he said.
"Some moments in rehersal are very special," Marcelletti said. "Sometimes we rehearse too much and think about the moment of the concert as magical, but I didn't realize how magical all the moments before were."
"You can't do these things by yourself," Marcelletti added. "You have to have a department that supports you."
"He is a wonderful colleague," said Mallorie Chernin, the Director of Choral Music. "Personally it makes me sad, but as a friend, I think it is a good career choice for him."
"The school is losing a wonderful man," said Peter Kupfer '01, a bassoonist in the orchestra. "He's not just a conductor, he's a friend."
Looking forward to his position at UMass, Marcelletti said, "my relationship with them will be different. Most of the students there want to be musicians ... One of my dreams is to build musicians."
Marcelletti said he won his position at UMass after an extensive audition process. The previous conductor, Mark Russell Smith, left after five seasons, and Marcelletti said he was glad about the opening.
"In my profession you don't decide where to go. You go where the opportunity is," he said.
Marcelletti said he hopes to see continued growth in the College's orchestral program.
"Amherst is known as the singing college. I would like it to also to be known as the instrumental college," he said.
"I am leaving because you get to an age when you need a new challenge," Marcelletti added.
The department is currently searching for a new director to replace Marcelletti.