Christopher M. Hamady

Chris completed his undergraduate degree in vocal music from Youngstown State University in 1992. It was there that he first experienced exceptional choral music under the direction of Dr. Wade Raridon. He also appeared in numerous operas in both the chorus and several lead roles under the direction of Dr. Donald Vogel who was also his voice teacher. He began writing music while at Youngstown, persuaded by his good friend, Russell Peterson (If you play the saxophone, you don't want to miss Russ' website). Chris had some of his music performed thanks to a composition teacher at YSU, Dr. Robert Rollin. After graduating from YSU in 1992, he worked at the F.A.M.E. Conservatory in Youngstown, teaching voice, and was also the director of music at the Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Columbiana, Ohio. He had a brief stint as a recording artist releasing a Christmas tape that sold around 300 copies locally. Proceeds from the sale of that tape went to the American Lung Association and a charity for the homeless in Youngstown. He also sang on a choral music recording with the classical music company, Koch.

In 1994, he enrolled at Bowling Green State University. While at BGSU, he studied choral conducting under one of the finest choral technicians in the country, R. D. Mathey (see also BGSU Mens' Chorus). During a student composer's concert at BGSU, he had some music performed that was heard by a composition faculty member, Dr. Wallace De Pue. After that concert, Dr. De Pue suggested that Chris should work on a masters degree in music composition. BGSU has an exceptional composition program, and is the home of The MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music directed by Dr. Marillyn Shrude and Praecepta, a student organization to promote and perform new music.

In 1997 he completed a dual masters degree in choral conducting and music composition and was awarded the James Paul Kennedy Music Achievment Award for outstanding BGSU graduate students in music. The research and contents of his thesis can aid choral conductors in developing superior choral tone through techniques that were created and adapted from Bel Canto exercises and literature. They involve bringing the quality of the upper voice (falsetto) down into the lowest extremes of a singer's range. Once this is accomplished, the upper register is completely blended with the lower through the technique of mezzo voce (swell and diminish). The thesis is a series of exercises that were written that incorporate the aforementioned techniques. It also contains a multi-movement song cycle that uses each technique separately in every movement, in a progressive manner, that will aid the group in gradually creating a free, balanced, and vibrant tone that has exceptional tuning capacity.

Chris is currently the technology coordinator at Toledo Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Ohio. He has also taught various music and technology related courses at Terra Community College in Fremont, Ohio. Currently, he is enrolled at the University of Toledo working on a PhD in Educational Technology in the area of Curriculum and Instruction. Chris also runs a home business that does computer consulting, digital audio multitrack recording, sound editing and video production.

CHRIS HAMADY

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