Music as a ... Performer

Currently I sing Tenor II with the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus.  I have been with the chorus since Fall of 1997.  The chorus performs three "major" concerts per year, plus a few small gigs here and there.  I LOVE being in the chorus.   It takes up a large amount of my free time.  Sometimes I feel like it's my second job - only it's one that I don't get paid for.

Previous to the PGMC (and my move to Philly) I was a member of the Erie Philharmonic Chorus.  While I was only with them one season, I had the chance to perform one of my most favorite works -- Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana".  I fell in love with this work many years ago, and it was an absolute THRILL to finally be able to perform it.

In college, I was a part of more performing groups than I care to account for here, but primarily I sang with the Valparaiso University Kantorei, a liturgical choir that sang mostly at church services.  Every year the Kantorei would go on tour during Spring Break.  I went to a lot of great places, and sang in lots of cool churches.

Solo-wise, I don't do that much anymore, though I have no trouble getting up in front of groups of people.  I have sung in church (services, marriages, funerals) many times and do solos in choral pieces.

Not only do I sing, but I also play several instruments.  Foremost, I play piano.  In high school and college I played flute and tenor sax.  Unfortunately, I don't get to play much anymore, so singing is my primary musical outlet.

The top picture at the left was taken at PGMC's 2001 Pride Concert, where we performed the work "Naked Man".  It's tough to see me, but I'm just to the right of the director singing the solo on "The Ballad of Mrs. Nash".  You can listen to the recording (2.5 MB - MP3).

The bottom photo was taken at GALA 2004 in Montreal.  I am all the way on the right.
 

Music as a ... Listener

Among the types of music I like are top 40, dance music and remixes, classical (specifically, contemporary American minimalism), Christian pop and dance, new age, showtunes/musicals, and much more.

In the world of Christian music, my favorites are Michael W. Smith, who I have followed for YEARS, and the World Wide Message Tribe, a kick ass Christian dance group.

Having been a music major in college, I grew to like many different types of classical music, however, above all others I enjoy a genre known as minimalism.  This style was pioneered by several American composers in the late 1960's and early 1970's and has matured since then.  Foremost, Philip Glass is my favorite (I own almost everything he has put out).  I have seen several works of his performed live, including Ahknaten (which is my all-time favorite), Koyaanisqatsi, the Etudes for Piano, and Les Enfant Terribles.  I also like several other American minimalists including Steve Reich, John Adams, and Terry Riley.

Being gay, I of course love a good musical.  Disney musicals and movies are all close to my heart, and it's hard to pick just one that is my favorite.  The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Aladdin all immediately come to mind when I think about Disney musicals I enjoy the most.

In the world of Broadway musicals, I particularly enjoy Avenue Q, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Chess, My Fair Lady, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Merrily We Roll Along.

I listen to a LOT of dance/club music, so it would be impossible to narrow it down to just a few artists, as it is ALWAYS changing whose hit has my attention.  I have a fondness for extended remixes of popular songs. My current favorite remixer/DJ is Peter Rauhofer of Club 69 fame.  His mixes have a real kick that I LOVE.
 

Music as a ... Composer

While the music often comes easy for me, the lyrics pose the most trouble.  About half of my songs have lyrics written by friends, primarily, my friend Bev from college and LMC, who is a much better poet than I.

My two favorite songs were both composed for the summer camp staff at LMC.  "In Every Face" was composed in less than 24 hours, and is still one of my favorites.  "What We Have" was also written in just a few days.  Both songs were written as closing "presents" to the staff at the end of the summer.

I have often found that my best songs are the ones that are composed in the least amount of time, or, in scientific terms, the amount of time spent composing is inversely proportional to the overall perceived greatness of the song.

I don't get to perform my own music very often, as it is difficult for me to find time to practice and to find an outlet.  But when I get the chance, I certainly do love to "show off".