Yes, I was young once...
When I started my collegiate musical studies at Bowling Green State University I believed that I would be an instrumentalist for the rest of my life. I was a French horn major, with a double in composition. After my sophomore year I had to have some jaw surgery which ended my playing career - and I ended up switching to a choral emphasis.
Little did I realize how impactful that twist of fate would be. I ended up joining the A Cappella Choir, the Collegiate Chorale, and the Men's Chorus, eventually becoming the assistant director with the men, and the director of the university's first "show" choir - "The Collegiates".
Most importantly, I met Professor Richard Mathey who became a fine mentor in my development as a director. In the chorus was Ben Ayling, now a professor of music at Kent State. He bugged me till I finally acquiesced and visited his local Barbershop chorus. I fell in love with the style and eventually won an International Quartet Championship - with fellow Men's Chorus members David Smotzer, Tim Frye and Jeff Oxley - as "The Rapscallions".
After meeting my wife and moving to Canton, Ohio I started directing the City of Flags Chorus of Sweet Adelines International and together we were able to win 6 Regional Championships together, finishing as high as 7th in the International competition. I've also directed "The Heart of Ohio" Sweet Adeline chorus, the Canton "Hall of Fame" chorus of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and have coached many choruses and quartets of both men and women. A music director at my church, I lead contemporary worship, as well as writing and arranging for both instrumental groups and choirs. Currently I serve as the director of "The Sounds of Pittsburgh". We're preparing for our first competition together. I also direct the mixed choir "Legacy Family Singers", in the Cleveland area.
I became the "in-house" arranger for most of these groups, and regularly my arrangements are performed by other ensembles, too, including prestigious groups like "Keepsake", "Old School", "The Rapscallions", "The Gem City Chorus", "The Ambassadors of Harmony" and "The San Diego Chorus", as well as many others around the world. Not strictly a barbershop arranger, I've been fortunate to have work published for sacred choirs, too.
Together my wife and I have raised 6 children (Chelsea, Tyler, Josh, Shannon, Dorian and Elliot). 3 of them, along with their mom and our son-in-law Bobby Selvaggio are professional musicians, too. All 6 sing and play instruments.
Please enjoy perusing my catalog. I'm sure you'll find something you'll love. ...but if not, contact me and we can chat about a customized arrangement just for you and your group!
By the way: I'm the one in yellow!
Little did I realize how impactful that twist of fate would be. I ended up joining the A Cappella Choir, the Collegiate Chorale, and the Men's Chorus, eventually becoming the assistant director with the men, and the director of the university's first "show" choir - "The Collegiates".
Most importantly, I met Professor Richard Mathey who became a fine mentor in my development as a director. In the chorus was Ben Ayling, now a professor of music at Kent State. He bugged me till I finally acquiesced and visited his local Barbershop chorus. I fell in love with the style and eventually won an International Quartet Championship - with fellow Men's Chorus members David Smotzer, Tim Frye and Jeff Oxley - as "The Rapscallions".
After meeting my wife and moving to Canton, Ohio I started directing the City of Flags Chorus of Sweet Adelines International and together we were able to win 6 Regional Championships together, finishing as high as 7th in the International competition. I've also directed "The Heart of Ohio" Sweet Adeline chorus, the Canton "Hall of Fame" chorus of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and have coached many choruses and quartets of both men and women. A music director at my church, I lead contemporary worship, as well as writing and arranging for both instrumental groups and choirs. Currently I serve as the director of "The Sounds of Pittsburgh". We're preparing for our first competition together. I also direct the mixed choir "Legacy Family Singers", in the Cleveland area.
I became the "in-house" arranger for most of these groups, and regularly my arrangements are performed by other ensembles, too, including prestigious groups like "Keepsake", "Old School", "The Rapscallions", "The Gem City Chorus", "The Ambassadors of Harmony" and "The San Diego Chorus", as well as many others around the world. Not strictly a barbershop arranger, I've been fortunate to have work published for sacred choirs, too.
Together my wife and I have raised 6 children (Chelsea, Tyler, Josh, Shannon, Dorian and Elliot). 3 of them, along with their mom and our son-in-law Bobby Selvaggio are professional musicians, too. All 6 sing and play instruments.
Please enjoy perusing my catalog. I'm sure you'll find something you'll love. ...but if not, contact me and we can chat about a customized arrangement just for you and your group!
By the way: I'm the one in yellow!