Bass/Baritone
Seasons With Chorale: 26
Season Joined: 1991-92
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Education/Training:
Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from CSU Long Beach
Do you also have a non-singing "day job"? If so, what do you do?
I do some Finale music publishing/writing work, and do the occasional voiceover.
Where else do you teach/gig/conduct/sing/perform?
Baritone soloist and section leader at Glendale United Methodist, and then gig wherever anyone will hire me. I sing lead with the Nickelodeon Barbershop Quartet, bass with various caroling groups.
Guest appearances:
This last year I sang ALL the small bass/baritone roles in the St. Matthew Passion with the Lark Conservatory Orchestra and Chorus, and sang the solos in Kirchner's Songs of Ascent with combined church choirs.
Recording/TV/Film:
Done about 20 over the years, last one was Godzilla.
Highlights of your musical career:
So far, pretty much everything with the LAMC since I rejoined. One in particular was the Britten Spring Symphony on 1985 tour with LA Phil under André Previn in Carnegie Hall and Academy of Music; Verdi Requiem with Giulini in 1979, my first concerts with the Chorale - we stood through the entire piece, every performance.
Favorite choral work(s):
Adams Harmonium, Britten War Requiem, madrigals of Gesualdo, Monteverdi and Hindemith
A defining moment of favorite LA Master Chorale onstage experience:
Performing David O's Map of Los Angeles to me is emblematic of Grant's tenure. It is new, it is Los Angeles, it beautiful, It doesn't take itself too seriously. Plus I love that it has weird instruments like 'chain link fence'.
What are you listening to these days?
I'm playing all my old vinyl, converting it to digital, so I am listening to Steely Dan, Penderecki, Dowland, Beethoven, Beatles, Monk, Debussy and on. In addition to the usual Vaughan Williams, Hindemith, Incubus, Mercy Me, Miles Davis and Bill Evans, whatever's on KCSN.
Anything you'd like to add about yourself?
I joined in 1979 under Roger Wagner, and left the Chorale in 1991, to do a real daytime desk job, which didn't work out so well. I reauditioned for Grant and rejoined in 2005 and have been a happy singer ever since.
Where do you live in L.A.?
Woodland Hills, CA
What L.A. experience do you consider essential for visitors/newcomers?
Drive the 405 from the Valley to Long Beach at 4PM. "Baby, you don't know what it's like...." until you've done it. Then catch some galleries and food and a movie at the Art.
