school. >> i was bullied.ly rough. he was the only person that was compassionate, wonderful. >> reporter: his students going on to play "the phantom" on broadway, and others performing at the tony awards. those students, joe's wife, kids, and grandkids all coming together to celebrate their beloved mr. c. >> it's the ultimate thank you with a 30-plus piece orchestra and singers coming in from all over the country. >> reporter: a pitch-perfect homage to the educator who's given so much to his philadelphia community. >> what i saw tonight is enough of a legacy for me. i saw it, and, as i said, it almost was like a dream. ♪ ♪ >> reporter: the orchestra pit at the iconic forest theater in philly will henceforth be known as the joe ciccimaro orchestra pit. and mr. c. tells me retirement looks like nine holes of golf a day, family time, and happy hour which in retirement can start before or after 5:00, you guys. >> rhiannon: it's 5:00 somewhere always. >> whit: did you get a haircut by the way too? >> reporter: i di