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Mike O'Neill Curriculum Vitae

Mike O’Neill—Curriculum Vitae

Mike O’Neill is a music specialist for the Barbershop Harmony Society. He travels throughout the country and abroad conducting workshops, clinics, lectures, and festivals. His goal is to enhance the experience of current Barbershoppers and expose music educators and students to the barbershop harmony art form.

O’Neill has a bachelor of music degree in music education with a vocal emphasis from the University of Florida and a master of music degree in choral conducting from the University of North Texas. Throughout his studies, he has had the privilege to learn from masters such as Anton Armstrong, Simon Carrington, Jerry McCoy, James Morrow, and Alice Parker. Prior to his appointment as Society music specialist in May 2006, O’Neill taught public high school choir in Florida and in Texas.

O’Neill is the coordinator for the Chorus Director Development (CDD) programs and is the staff liaison for the CDD committee. These programs include Chorus Director Workshop Intensive (CDWI), Next Level, Chorus Director Certification (CDC), and Director of the Future. Many of O’Neill’s presentations include a focus on the conducting gesture and the importance of non-verbal communication. His multi-faceted presentations address the needs of not only the front-line chorus director, but also the assistant director and the chorus, itself. Some concepts taught include: vocal production; warm-ups for assisting specific needs; and dealing with the changing voice, young and old.

Below are some comments on O’Neill’s presentations he has made:

“I recently had the opportunity to work with Mike in an extended collaborative workshop setting. I found him to be professional, engaging, and collegial. Mike combines a comprehensive understanding of vocal technique with a marvelous ability to communicate his love of music with people. He represents a “new generation” of barbershop singing. Leaders such as Mike insure that barbershop harmony will continue well into the future!” Jerry Ulrich, Associate Professor of Music / Director of Choral Activities, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

“Our highest auditioned ensembles had a wonderful personal and musical experience in the master class with Mike O’Neill. The musical concepts and ideas he effectively communicated with the students led to instant vocal improvement.” Phillip Brown, Director of Choral Activities, Hopkins H.S. Minnetonka, Minnesota.

“Mike O’Neill’s superb background in choral conducting allowed our students to get an advanced level, hands on workshop in advanced choral technique. It was gratifying to have another choral specialist work with our students, and reinforce the solid technique that we strive for every single day in the classroom. Mike had a well paced, on task approach to every group he worked with, even though the level of the groups varied widely. It was a very successful day.” Paul Wigley, Director of Choral Activities, Lakeville North H.S. Lakeville, Minnesota.

“We feel privileged to have had Mike O’Neill as our BHS educator. Mike was around from dawn until dusk, and did a huge amount of work for us. He was particularly well received by our College Chorus and our Youth Chorus. Mike made himself available to anyone who wanted to talk to him and we even persuaded him to emcee the Saturday night show at the College!” Bill Harvey, Chairman of the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS)

Reach him at moneill@barbershop.org or 800-876-7464 x8561.

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