2nd Avenue Singers
"Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" Words and Music by Charlie Tobias, Lew Brown, and Sam Stept;
Arranged by Alan Billingsley; From our 6/1/2024 concert "Inspired by Nature"
Arranged by Alan Billingsley; From our 6/1/2024 concert "Inspired by Nature"
2nd Avenue Singers is the Baker Community Arts Association “house band.” This group of twelve superior singers, expertly conducted by David Small, has performed at the holiday concert often with guest instrumentalists in early December each year since the inception of the Baker Community Concerts Series. In 2024, by popular demand, they added additional performances in June.
From jazz to classical and everything in between, their concerts are a delight.
From jazz to classical and everything in between, their concerts are a delight.
David Small (Conductor/Tenor) is a music educator who has been directing choirs of all ages in the Denver area for many years. As a vocalist, he performed several seasons with Opera Colorado, but found that directing, singing and arranging music for the Rock n’ Roll A Cappella group, Cool Shooz was even more fun. After recently retiring from teaching middle school Choir in the Cherry Creek School District, he moved to Salida, where he restores vintage Volkswagens, sings with two choirs and is enjoying the challenge of expanding his musical abilities as the vocalist for a Funk & Soul band. And yes, he really does look forward to the long, but beautiful commute to Denver to rehearse with this fine group of musicians!
Margo Hanschke (Piano) has had a love for music since the age of eight when she first started taking piano lessons. She now holds a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance from Colorado Christian University and a Master's Degree in Music Theory from the University of Denver. Her repertoire of experience includes solo performances, collaboration with soloists, ensembles and orchestras in the Denver area, and work on numerous musicals where she has served as both pianist and music director. When not busy playing the piano or singing, Margo enjoys spending time with her husband, 16-year-old twins, and two dogs.
Rob Lowe (Piano) has been an established professional pianist and music director in the Denver area
for 32 years. During that time, he has music directed and/or played over 140 different musicals as well as performed a multitude of corporate and wedding gigs. Rob also teaches music theater at Red Rocks Community College. His choral accompanying experiences include both Colorado All State and All State Jazz Choirs for over 15 years. Rob is thrilled to work with his old friend Dave Small and 2nd Avenue Singers.
Rosie Downs (Soprano) grew up in S.E. London, UK, singing since age 7 as a girl chorister in the Royal
School of Church Music training program. After Royal School of Music piano exams, and voice lessons
with Petronella Dittmer, and Elizabeth Adams, Rosie sang with the Thomas Tallis Society in Greenwich,
Poscimur Cathedral Choir, and in performances of Bizet's Carmen, Donizetti's Maria Stuarda, and Verdi's LaTraviata in London. Since moving to Denver in 2001 she has sung with Kantorei, St Martin's Chamber Choir, The University of Northern Colorado Alumni Choir, Denver Opera Collective, Vocis Cordis and as Staff Soprano at Bethany Lutheran. Rosie is excited to be singing her fifth season with 2nd Avenue Singers.
Christie McNeill (Soprano) returns to performance after a seven-year sabbatical during which she devoted herself to her three young boys. A versatile performer, equally at home in opera and musical theater, Christie has performed in numerous productions where her innate energy and comfort on stage come alive, among them: Nancy in Oliver!, Meg In Damn Yankees, Desiree in A Little Night Music, Zita in Gianni Schicci, Charlotte in Werther, the Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus and Carmen. She has won first place in both Musical Theatre and Classical divisions in the NATS Vocal Competition. Christie holds a M. Mus. in Opera Performance from the University of Denver and a B. Mus. in Vocal Performance from Metro State. A firm believer that music changes lives, Christie has also developed and teaches her own World Music curriculum, sharing her love of diverse musical styles and traditions with children in the Denver Metro area.
Megan Schoales (Soprano) has been singing as long as she can remember. Her childhood revolved around her entire family’s passion for music and sharing that music with others. She spent high school singing in numerous ensembles as well as participating in theatre as much as possible. She is a graduate of Colorado State University where she received her degree in marketing and finance. Currently, she works as a hairstylist who loves helping others achieve their hair dreams. When not in the salon, she enjoys spending her time with her husband and two boys, who love hearing her sing around the house.
Marlene Bainbridge (Alto) has been singing in choral groups since high school. She has performed with many groups in the Denver area including Confluence, Canto Deo, Vittoria Ensemble, Singers Chamber Choir, Arvada Chorale, Golden Concert Choir, and High Country Chorus. She also sings with the women’s quartet Sacred Pepper performing at the People’s Fair and Botanic Gardens. Somehow, she still finds time for her day job as an engineering consultant for a medical company.
Kari Kusek (Alto) has been singing as long as she can remember and as often as anyone will listen. This is her seventh season with 2nd Avenue Singers and she is ecstatic to be back. She graduated from Luther College with a B.A. in Music Performance and Elementary Education and has a Masters Degree in Social Studies and Global Education from The Ohio State University. She currently serves as a middle school administrator and enjoys the chaotic nature of the daily grind. When she's not working, she and her husband attempt to spend time with their two children, but 16 and 13-year-olds wish to be very independent!
Janice Tilden (Alto) is a retired lawyer and longtime resident of Denver. She has enjoyed many varieties of choral experiences, ranging from high school musicals to 24 years in the chorus of Opera Colorado. She looks forward to her third season with 2nd Avenue Singers.
Peter Buchi (Tenor) made his professional debut with The Denver Symphony Orchestra and the Central City Opera Company in 1972 at the age of 11. Educated at the University of Colorado and based in New York City and Milan Italy until 2017, Peter has performed with the world's leading orchestras and opera companies as well as in roles in theater and musical theater. A partial list of the companies he has worked with includes the following: The New York Philharmonic Orchestra; The Dallas Symphony; The Orchestra of St. Luke's; The San Francisco Opera; Teatro alla Scala (La Scala) of Milan, Italy; The Gregg Smith Singers, The Brott Music Festival (Hamilton, Ontario Canada); The Festival di Pasqua (The Vatican, Rome); The Buxton Festival (England); Lyric Opera Cleveland. Peter has appeared as the Preacher in Leonard Bernstein's powerful "Mass", in productions at Carnegie Hall, The Vatican Easter Festival, and with the Dallas Symphony. He is happy to make a return to choral singing since returning to Colorado full time in 2018 and this is his second season with 2nd Avenue Singers.
Brian Langr (Tenor) hails from the State of Iowa. He studied Electronic Media Communications & Vocal Performance at the University of Northern Iowa. The son of two educators (Art & Mathematics), Brian originally began down the same path in hopes of becoming a music teacher. This was overcome by a passion for performing and traveling from the stage of countless performances throughout high school and College productions to an ensemble role with the Minnesota Opera to understudying in a touring Broadway musical finishing with multiple performances in a lead role. Having only truly experienced his home being Iowa, Brian was eager to experience big city living and made his way to Los Angeles where he was an active member of the Angeles Chorale, sang with multiple church groups, and performed at many venues throughout LA, including multiple performances at Disney Hall with and without the LA Philharmonic Orchestra. He now continuously utilizes his education in communications full-time in the field of property management for Equity Residential while taking on all the musical experiences he can here in Denver including but not limited to, never saying "no" to Karaoke!
J J Parker (Tenor) has been a singer most of his life. He was in multiple choirs in high school, including a male a cappella group, and participated in all-state ensembles. He also sang in college at the University of Tulsa where he received a degree in finance and economics. After college, he worked as an actuarial consultant for six years before pursuing entrepreneurial interests. Currently, he works as a day trader and quant, developing and optimizing trading edges, plus some consulting contract work on the side. He and his girlfriend have two wonderful Aussie mix dogs.
James Musselman (Bass) is the President and Artistic Director of Baker Community Arts Association and serves as the Cantor and Music Director of St. Peter and St. Mary Episcopal Church. He also produces and performs with 2nd Avenue Singers and was with The Coventry Carolers for many years. He served for several years as a staff chorister and soloist at St. Augustine’s Orthodox Church (Denver) in The Abbey Singers, where he had the privilege of working under the direction of noted American composer Gerald Near and at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church (Denver). Now semi-retired from James L Musselman, CPA, PC, he is thrilled to be able to devote more time to music and expand the offerings of 2nd Avenue Singers and Baker Community Arts Association.
David Simmons (Bass) began his singing career on his back yard swing set in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He was known throughout the neighborhood for his boisterous rendition of "I've Been Working on the Railroad." As he grew up, he sang in choirs in Elementary, Junior High, and High School. In college, he was a member of the University of Denver Lamont Chorale for four years. After a 24-year hiatus, joined the Jubilate! Sacred Singers of Boulder County where he performed for 13 years. He is currently back at the Lamont School of Music as a member of the Spirituals Project Choir. Less formally, he is a regular performer for the Denver Law Club's annual Ethics Revue and the University Club of Denver's Twelfth Night Show. He is an immigration attorney in private practice, the father of two adult children, and the proud grandfather of one adorable granddaughter.
Howard Treibitz (Bass) was bass section leader with the Vittoria Ensemble and has sung in the past with the Holy Ghost Church professional choir, Musicians of St. Clare, Singers Master Chorale, and the Acapella Gold five-member a cappella group. He now sings with Singers Chamber Choir. He is president of the Board of the Colorado Chamber Orchestra. He has a doctorate in music theory and composition from Brandeis University in the Boston area. Choral as well as other compositions of his are performed from time to time in the Denver area. He is currently working on a piece for Colorado Chamber Orchestra (with baritone) in commemoration of the 100th year anniversary of the first world war. This is his eighth season with 2nd Avenue Singers.