A Crossove
er Christmas Agne G | Belle Voci | Christina Johnston Classical Reflection | Ellen Williams Gemma Turner | georgi mottram | Jay Dref Jennifer Thomas | Jonathan Cilia Faro Louisa Alice Rose | Nadia Eide | Natasha barbieri tiffany desrosiers | Veritas
and a special collaboration with Emer Barry | Grace Foley | Margaret Keys
Stream now on YouTube
Jeff Anderson Tenor
James Berrian
Andrew
Te
Baritone
Ver
The Cros
Scott Lawrence Bass
Goodwin
enor
ritas
ssover
Jordan Johnson Tenor
5
Classical Crossover Vocal Group Veritas otherwise known as the 'Veritas 5' brings audiences a unique blend of harmony. With influences from rock, Broadway, and Gospel their harmonies there is something for everyone. Their latest album is entitled, Simply Veritas. Natasha Barbieri: You have been described as a “wall of sound.” Can you tell us a little bit about each of your backgrounds and how that creates the Veritas sound? Veritas: Everyone of us has been trained classically, and we each have different stylings we gravitate toward. Scott and James both lean into their love of opera and classical music. Andrew has a bit more of a pop/ broadway vibe to his voice. Jordan grew up listening to rock bands like Queen and Journey, which has influenced much of his singing. And of course, Jeff has a bit more of a soulful/ gospel sound to his voice, but he can easily switch into a classical styling if we need him to. Somehow, it all works together to produce a powerful “wall of sound.” Natasha Barbieri: Was this the first time all of you have been in a group or have you tried it before? Veritas: We’ve all sung in different groups before, mostly in college. What we didn’t realize is how much preparation that gave us for Veritas. Learning how to sing in a group, harmonizing, ear training, and learning how to balance interpersonal group dynamics were all invaluable lessons we learned in the groups we sang in before starting Veritas.
Natasha Barbieri: What was your first impression of everyone the first time you sang together? Veritas: The first time we sang together was pure magic. We got around a piano with a friend of ours who had arranged a song for us, and it started in prime unison. The moment we started the first note, you could literally feel how special the sound was. The blend was unreal! Natasha Barbieri: Sometimes when singers are so in tune with each other there is a physical buzzing feeling. Is that something you’ve experienced together or in different set-ups of the group? Also given the power of your 5 voices, have you ever tried breaking a glass? Veritas: Although we’ve never tried breaking a glass (which we absolutely should!), sometimes, the tuning and connection between each other is so tight, we’ll trade glances at each other on stage that say “man...this so good!” A few years ago, we had the opportunity to sing a sold-out show at Carnegie Hall. Our tenors (Andrew, Jordan, and Jeff) did a trio of “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables. Their performance was so tight and so powerful, the audience stood to their feet and gave them a standing ovation that seemed to last for 20 minutes. It was unbelievable!
Natasha Barbieri: What are some of your favorite touring or pre-concert rituals? Veritas: Before each concert, we huddle up and pray together. It’s a really special time to get centered and focussed before we take the stage. Also, post-show food is the BEST! Whether it’s pizza, chicken nuggets, or a bowl of cereal, something about post-show food feels like a pat on the back for a job well done. Natasha Barbieri: How do you decide which music you will perform? Is there a voting system or do you have a musical director? Veritas: Whether it’s developing a song list for a record or deciding on a setlist for a show, we always work on it together. Having five guys as a part of a group, there are five different opinions on which songs move us and which don’t. However, we’ve never let that get in the way of our relationships with each other. Just like any kind of healthy, working relationship, it’s give and take and a lot of communication. Natasha Barbieri: Tell us about your latest album: Simply Veritas. What is the inspiration there? Veritas: Simply Veritas is our very first all A CAPPELLA album. It’s a collection of songs that are meaningful to us and meaningful to our audience. Typically, our arrangements are
recorded with a full orchestra and rhythm section. We thought it would fun to strip all that away and concentrate on just the blend of the five voices. It’s one of our favorite albums we’ve recorded so far! Natasha Barbieri: How have you all been able to sing over covid? Have you tried zoom practices or mixing separate videos together? Veritas: What a difficult year it’s been for musicians, right? COVID has certainly taken us out of our “normal” and forced us to find creative ways to meet, rehearse, and stay engaged with our audience. When everything first ramped up in March, all our spring and summer show postponed to 2021. So, we decided to start doing videos to share on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Thanks to technology, we were able to record each part separately and then put them together. It actually turned out really well! Those videos are still available on Instagram @veritasfive and at www.facebook.com/ veritasfive. During the summer, we decided to take a break from the virtual events and videos to focus on our next album. It’s a cover album of some of the greatest songs of each decade. We’re VERY excited about it. In fact, we’ve already booked a 50 city tour in 2021 with that album. We can’t wait to get out on the road again and perform these songs to live audiences!
www.veritasfive.com
A Thrill In celebration of the exciting new compilation album we are thrilled to present interviews with the artists featured.
Giveaway Current mailing list subscribers will receive a complimentary download of the album. Join us!
classicalcrossovermagazine.us/subscribe
l of Hope With many thanks to Greg Lucid from Lucid Artist Management
Steve Wingfield
Steve Wingfield is a talented producer, writer, arranger, and musician. His new compilation album A Thrill of Hope was released on September 25, 2020, and features stars like Sandi Patty, Kate Sanford, Jonathan Cilia Faro, and more.
Natasha Barbieri: How many records have you produced in total in your career? Steve Wingfield: Wow, that’s a great question. I don’t know the exact number, but it’s definitely over 400 albums. The interesting thing is that it has been in so many different genres. We have done everything from classical to children’s music to pop to rock to relaxation to Christian music....and so on and so on. It has really been a wonderful experience, career-wise, to be able to explore all of these different styles and to work with so many wonderful people. Natasha Barbieri: What’s the strangest project you ever recorded? Steve Wingfield: There were a few, and always with the same artist, but this one was so bizarre, I don’t think I will ever forget it. I’m not going to say the name...haha, but I can tell you that it was extremely out there. It started the minute we got to the studio and the artist was late...he rolled in with no arrangements and just a handful of music books that were clearly just bought at the local music store. I asked where the piano player was, and he informed me that he was going to play piano that day. I knew that was going to be a disaster...and it was, so I excused myself from the control room and called one of my regular session players, letting him know the situation and got him to come to the studio. In the
meantime, we tried to get some of the bed tracks down and the drummer was playing so lightly, that we had to keep turning up the mic pre’s. The more we turned them up, the lighter he would play...until there were basically no drums. It was such a strange experience. The day went on like this and just got more and more bizarre. I could probably fill up a whole page about this session. Haha. So after all of this nonsense all day, one of the strangest things that happened was when the drummer sent in his invoice. First, he faxed it...and this was way past the fax days. Second, it was a single piece of paper with messy handwriting saying “You owe me...” and whatever the dollar amount was. Needless to say, it was the last session I did with either of these people. Oh! I forgot to mention that the artist tried to explain to me how the government had implanted nano bots into his scalp...that’s why he had shaved his head. It is not something I care to experience again. But I suppose you are going to get a few weird ones in a long career. Natasha Barbieri: Do you have a favorite album you've recorded? Steve Wingfield: Now that is a very hard question to answer. Obviously, the new record is definitely one of my favorites, but there are some other standouts for sure. I arranged and produced an album of big band love songs in 2003.
Just some really beautiful pieces of music and it was so much fun to arrange for the band. The two times I went to Moscow were certainly unbelievable experiences. We were able to get two albums done on each trip. What an incredible thing to sit in the control room and listen to some of the best string players in the world. I almost felt guilty because it didn’t feel like work at all. I would definitely have to say that one of the best experiences I’ve had is when I recorded Sandi Patty for the first time. She came into the studio and just laid the track down in two takes. I was floored and was so incredibly impressed with how she approached all of the songs on the album, but that first song will stay with me forever. I could go on and on and on. There are too many to pick from, but those are a few of them. Natasha Barbieri: What was it like recording this epic project during Covid? How did you track this and do vocals? Steve Wingfield: So this was something different for me. It is the first time I have not been in the studio with the players or singers. I’ll be totally honest and say that I didn’t like that part of it. I really love to have in-person interaction with everyone. I like the vibe that comes when everyone is together. Of course, with Covid, it was impossible...especially since I’m in Canada and the singers were all in Nashville. It took some getting used to, but I think it all turned out great. The engineers we were working with, were fantastic and really helped to make it all work.
I really wanted to have different arrangements for these songs. Christmas music has been done to death so, I worked really hard to try and make something unique. There is a great mix of vocal and instrumental tracks on the album and I think it flows really nicely from song to song. We’ve got some trumpet on a couple of songs, and Denver played it so beautifully on those tracks. I played Tenor Sax on two songs, and I think that added a dimension to the record that we haven’t had on previous releases. The vocalists were all just superb in their offerings, and I am so thankful for everyone who helped out with this. The orchestra and all of my players here in Toronto were worldclass, as always. As far as tracking, I did a lot of it at my place, then sent the rough mixes off to the musicians and the singers, so they could learn the songs. We had to do zoom meetings for some of the vocalists, and for a few of the soloists, they recorded at their own studios and sent the parts back to me so I could edit and get them imported for mixing. I love arranging and writing, but for this record, I really was into the mixing process. I wanted to have a certain feel and ambiance. I was playing around with different reverbs, but wanted everything to have a flow. I think we achieved that for sure. The hardest part of this, apart from the covid inconvenience, was sequencing the record. It had to sound good, while also telling the Christmas story. I really wanted it to be in the order of what happened that first Christmas night, as much as possible... but it also had to sound musical. I always find these
things have a way of working themselves out and just reading the titles, tell the story I wanted it to tell. Listening to it from top to bottom, the story is there, as well as an overall flow. It’s always difficult mixing in vocal tracks on an instrumental record, but the vocal tracks are so strong, that it was actually pretty easy. There is always that risk of something sounding out of place, but that doesn’t seem to happen in twelve tracks. I am really happy with the way things turned out, and even though there were some new situations due to the virus, we were able to make it all work and the singers did an amazing job....especially under these circumstances. I am so grateful for all of the hard work everyone put in.
www.stevewingfield.com
Denver Bierman Denver Bierman is known for his band Denver & the Mile High Orchestra. They were featured on “The Next Great American Band." They are featured on the new Christmas compilation album, A Thrill of Hope.
Natasha Barbieri: Tell us about your first gig together. Is it true the band may have been paid in cheesecake? Denver Bierman: If you’ve ever heard the old adage, "Musician: Will work for food”, the only way to more adequately describe the very first DMHO gig back in January of 1999 would be “DMHO: Will work for dessert...and coffee”. We were playing for a college “coffee shop” social gathering at my church. So just like so many other bands' stories throughout the decades, quite a few of our very first gigs were booked in exchange for food, and an opportunity to let people hear our music. Natasha Barbieri: How did the idea of bringing together the band come about? Denver Bierman: I have loved playing the trumpet since I started sixth-grade band in Indiana. Growing up, I was your classic band geek. I was drum major of the band in high school and absolutely loved playing in my middle school and high school jazz bands. When I got to college, I met a whole bunch of other band geeks that had so much in common with me and we became good friends. I was taking a class my senior year of college to learn how to write and arrange music for Big Band. When I was invited to host and perform at a bi-monthly coffee shop that my church was
hosting, I invited all of my buddies from college to come and experiment playing the arrangements I was writing for my class assignments at college. So every couple of weeks I would have a couple more new songs to try out. They were usually only 20 or 30 people at our shows, and there were probably 14 or 15 of us on stage. But the more we kept playing I realized how much people enjoyed the energy and the style of music. We decided to continue playing together and that is how our journey began 21 years ago. Natasha Barbieri: Who are some of your favorite bands from days gone by? Denver Bierman: Obviously, Glenn Miller is a legendary classic, and when I was in high school some of that music was my absolute favorite. I’ve also loved Harry James and his band, as well as Louis Armstrong. But I would say some of my most heavy influences have come from crooners that came later in the 50s and 60s and even more recently. Frank Sinatra is my all-time favorite, Harry Connick Junior has been my hero since I was 14 years old. Nat King Cole, and I really enjoyed Michael Bublé and even the rockabilly styles of Louis Prima and Brian Setzer. Each one of those artists and their bands have been massive influences on the sound of our band. Natasha Barbieri: Is there any type of music you wouldn’t cover or is anything
fair game to be given a Denver Bierman & The Mile High Orchestra treatment? Denver Bierman: One of the things I love about Music is that as you’re beginning to write a song or an arrangement, it is a completely blank canvas. I absolutely love taking songs that people have heard one specific way, and painting an entirely different picture of that music. I would say most things are definitely fair game, I don’t think you’re ever going to hear me rap, but beyond that, I would definitely say if it’s got a catchy melody, it’s definitely fair game. Natasha Barbieri: Tell us a little bit about your experience on “The Next Great American Band.” What are some of the ways you’ve grown since then? Denver Bierman: I think that experience on "The Next Great American Band did so much for how our band has evolved. It made us a much more versatile band. It forced us to think outside the box and to be a lot more creative and some of the music that we would write snd arrange. It also provided so many new opportunities, giving us the chance to reach brand new groups of people with our music. But I think what has influenced us the most from that experience, was just how much fun we had together. It personally reminded me of the whole reason I got involved in music in the first place. Music moves people. Music is supposed to be an uplifting and joyful experience. We had so much fun together on that show, that it reinvigorated me and inspired me to keep doing what I do because I absolutely love it. I love getting to make great music with some of my best friends in the world. And that’s exactly what that show gave us the chance to do. Natasha Barbieri: You’ve mentioned wanting to be a band to be enjoyed by the whole family. How do you craft a show to exchange such varied age groups and tastes? Denver Bierman: Living in an age where entertainment has become more fragmented and much more age and demographic specific,
there are very few entertainment entities out there that do transcend generational gaps. I think naturally it just started happening for us in the beginning. We would have grandparents that grew up on big band music that loved being at the shows, we would have adults who would come, because it was the style of music that they grew up hearing in their homes when they were children. The one group I never ever expected to resonate with our music, we’re little children. We would have parents bring their little kids to our shows and they would be running up and down the isles, they would come over to the side of the auditorium and just dance the night away. I was so shocked to see two and sometimes three generations in the same family coming to our concerts together. They may have each enjoyed different songs specifically, but when I realize that families were naturally coming to our shows I tried to develop a show that would be for the whole family. That there would be a little bit of everything for everyone. I have always wanted to use Music as a vehicle to encourage people. Life is hard, 2020 has been a year that is all true reminded us of this very simple fact. And life is hard on families as well. I’ve always wanted our music to be something that could be an encouragement to families. That in a world that is sometimes so difficult and complex and hard, I want our music to be one of the few things that a family can come together and enjoy a couple of hours being renewed, inspired, and encouraged together as a family unit. Natasha Barbieri: Are there any musicians or singers you’d like to work with in the future? Denver Bierman: The list would be too long to count of all the incredible singers and musicians that I would love the opportunity to collaborate, perform, and write music with. If I had to say just one person though, It would be Harry Connick Jr. He has been my musical hero since I was 14 or 15 years old and I heard his “Red Light, Blue Light” album with his big band. I’ve had multiple dreams in my sleep throughout the last 20 years of
performing on stage with him. I even got to meet him during a meet and greet after a Christmas concert he performed at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville when DMHO and Harry Connick Jr were both being booked by CAA. I have performed and worked with many celebrities, and I never get starstruck. But I was so crazy nervous to meet him! The few moments we had together, I did not even tell him that I was a musician, I did not even tell him that I had had my own Big Band for a decade and a half, I just told him how much his music inspired me and admit to me. So if there’s one person that I hope and dream to work with someday it would definitely be him. Natasha Barbieri: What are some of your musical goals in 2021? Denver Bierman: My goals for 2021 are to release our new recording project called “One Hope” which we have been writing and recording this year in 2020. My other goal is to get back out on the road and begin performing again. Just like so many other artists and friends of mine, we miss being out there doing what we know we love and are called to do. To Connect with people at our concerts and encourage people with our music. Natasha Barbieri: What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? Denver Bierman: I absolutely love listening to the Andy Williams Christmas album, I love going and looking at Christmas lights in different neighborhoods around town. I love
going to my church’s Christmas Eve service. Since I was a little kid, every year we would take cinnamon rolls and put birthday candles in them and like them and sing happy birthday to Jesus. I love getting together with family and friends, and I love watching all the nostalgic and also funny Christmas movies. And I really really really really really love holiday Christmas food! Ha ha Natasha Barbieri: Tell us about the piece you were featured on in “A Thrill of Hope” and what this particular track means to you. Denver Bierman: I had the opportunity to play my trumpet on “Away in a Manger”. This has always been one of my favorite Christmas songs because it is such a simple song and so very tender. So often I think about Jesus and I think about his sacrifice on the cross. I think about how He is the Holy Son of Almighty God.....part of the Blessed Trinity. But also one of the beautiful facets of Christ is in the midst of righteousness and glory, he is also human. And this song reminds me of this tender sweet baby....the most precious gift ever given to mankind came to us in a barn with animals. That he was not born in a palace amongst royalty, but that he was born in a manger, as a human can relate to my life, to my humanity. This tender little song reminds me of how God himself knows me understands me... that Christ for me. Jesus Christ came as a man for all of mankind. What a simple and yet powerful reminder of the real meaning of Christmas.... this tiny sweet baby away in a manger, is literally God with us.
www.denvermho.com
Kate Stanford Classically trained singer Kate Standford is a young Christian contemporary artist from Baton Rouge, LA. She has released a debut EP "Bloom" and her single "I'm a Believer" was featured on the Palau movie soundtrack.
Natasha Barbieri: As a Christian contemporary artist music and faith are closely interwoven. How does music inspire you on your spiritual journey? Kate Standford: Throughout my life, music has always brought me closer to God. Dedicating thought to the creation of meaningful lyrics and musical phrases has given me confidence, humility, grace, and strengthened faith in both the Lord and in myself. The transformative moment when I knew I wanted to pursue music professionally was during a choir concert in my sophomore year of high school. As we sang an arrangement of “Psalm 23,” the lyrics “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all my days, and I will dwell in Your house forever, And bless Your Holy Name,” I felt God calling me towards a career in music. The moment of those lyrics echoing off the Church walls still stays with me to this day. Since then, music has continued to serve as a catalyst in my relationship with God. As I progress in my career, I hope that God works through my songs
and performances to touch the lives of others. Natasha Barbieri: What are some of the faith-testing experiences you have experienced so far in your career? Kate Standford: Being a musician is a very unconventional career path. Looking towards an unpredictable future can be stressful for someone like me who likes to plan and map out the details of my daily life. However, I try to remember that nothing in the world is guaranteed. Knowing that change is inevitable and a part of God’s plan is comforting and allows me to find peace in pursuing an uncommon, yet fulfilling career. Natasha Barbieri: You are still so young but when did you start making music? Kate Standford: Currently, I am nineteen years old and a sophomore in college. I started recording music when I was seventeen and a junior in high school, but I have been singing and taking voice lessons since I was six years old.
Natasha Barbieri: How do you juggle music lessons and concerts with study? Kate Standford: I study music at UT Austin, so much of what I learn in class is applicable to my music career. My biggest challenge is balancing schoolwork, social life, self-care, and a full-time music career all at once. While this balance is achievable, it takes a lot of prioritizing and planning on my end. At the end of each day, I believe that you can have it all and that anything is achievable! Natasha Barbieri: Have you found distance learning challenging during covid? Kate Standford: Personally, I find it difficult to stay engaged in my online classes. Nonetheless, I am thankful for the privilege of attending college in the midst of a pandemic and still enjoy learning, even if it’s in a new environment. Natasha Barbieri: Have you begun writing your own music or do you have any plans to do so? Kate Standford: My first original single was “Undivided,” a piece that speaks to the rtance of unity in challenging times. Since then, I have put out two new singles, “Change” and “Mirror”, both in collaboration with Cindy Morgan. I am currently working on another single, which is coming soon! Natasha Barbieri: Who are some of your influences? Kate Standford: In the CCM industry, I admire Hollyn and Tauren Wells. They are both phenomenal, young, openminded musicians. In the pop industry, I
look up to Jess Glynne. She has been an inspirational force in my life since elementary school—I remember waking up before class every day and listening to her singles “Rather Be” and “Extraordinary.” I have always enjoyed her clear vocal tone and the genuine soulfulness she pours into each song. Natasha Barbieri: What are some of your musical goals in 2021? Kate Standford: I am a firm believer in “shooting for the stars.” If you do not believe in yourself, how can you expect others to believe in you? In 2021, I will be working towards both my first (hopeful) Dove Award and my first radio play on KLOVE stations. Musically, I will be working on strengthening my vocal technique in my contemporary pieces by improving the balance between my middle and high range. Natasha Barbieri: What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? Kate Standford: Every Christmas, my family and I watch “Elf” together. Even though it is my all-time favorite movie, I limit myself to watching it once a year during the holiday season. Seeing Will Ferell in his ridiculous Elf costume immediately fills me with the Christmas spirit. Another family tradition is going to Christmas Eve mass with my Mom, Dad, Grandmother, and Aunt at the Lafayette Cathedral in Louisiana. Afterwards, we visit our favorite local restaurant, where I eat my favorite dinner and dessert. Natasha Barbieri: Tell us about the piece you were featured on in “A Thrill of Hope” and what this particular track means to you.
Kate Standford: I was featured in “Hark the Herald Angel Sings” alongside my incredibly talented colleague James Berrian. At the beginning of this collaboration, I was given creative freedom to choose a piece that was meaningful to me. I chose “Hark the Herald Angel Sings” because it speaks to the inseparable relationship between music and praise at the birth of Jesus. Finding out the Moscow Orchestra was providing the instrumental track further added to my excitement to get in the studio and to get things done.
www.katestanfordmusic.com
Jonathan Cilia Faro Operatic tenor Jonathan Cilia Faro began his solo career at the age of sixteen and sold over 100,000 copies of his first album. He has continued to build his career moving from Sicily to America. Now in Nashville, Jonathan calls himself a "citizen of the world." Natasha Barbieri: Giramondo was your latest single. Tell us a little bit about that story and how you started writing music. Jonathan Cilia Faro: Giramondo means world traveler and that describes exactly who I am. I have been traveling from a young age in one form or another. I have lived in so many countries and cities and I plan to continue my journey around our world. There is so much to be learned from new places, people, and cultures, these things inspire me and leave a mark on my life. I started writing music as a way to process personal issues and to express myself in a way that was both personal and at the same time allowed me to hide myself in my music and lyrics. Writing is a release for me, it's how I share myself with the world. Natasha Barbieri: Jonathan, when CCM last spoke with you, you were moving to Tennessee. Tell us a little bit about moving during covid and some things you love about your new home? Jonathan Cilia Faro: Yes I am now an official Tennessee resident and I truly
love it here. From day one I felt very at home here. Nashville is beautiful, I love its open-air feeling and the friendliness of the people I have met here. Also being Italian I am naturally more partial to warm climates. Moving during Covid was extremely stressful and Covid related disruptions had to be dealt with. There were many scheduling hurdles to overcome. Natasha Barbieri: With more things being closed do you have your own at-home recording studio? If so, is that something you put together yourself, or did you have another professional assist? Jonathan Cilia Faro: I have always had some type of home studio and of course my favorite piano, but now with the way things are I have definitely improved my home studio and find myself really enjoying the process of setting it all up to fit my specifics. It's a special project for me to customize it and I find myself spending a lot of time in that space. Where I am recording I have a sound engineer at the controls to help and guide the process.
I think one of the main parts of setting up your own home studio is to really think about the space you have for the studio and the goal you want to accomplish in that space. Natasha Barbieri: Although you are a classical crossover singer, your voice is very much an operatic instrument. What would you say is the main difference for you when singing opera or crossover? Jonathan Cilia Faro: Opera definitely requires more emotion, you sing opera with your whole body you need to tell the story with not only words but body language. In Crossover the stories are usually less dramatic and more modern so therefore more relatable to the modern audience. Natasha Barbieri: Over the years how has your voice changed and how do you continue to keep it fresh and healthy? Jonathan Cilia Faro: Over time my voice has grown deeper and I can hold the notes longer, for me and I know this is a cliche but being as healthy as I can has been the key. Good food, exercise,and sleep are the things I think my voice needs to stay healthy. Natasha Barbieri: Once covid is over and we can travel again where is the first place you plan to visit? Jonathan Cilia Faro: Someplace tropical and where cell phones, laptops, etc are not allowed.
Natasha Barbieri: What are some of your musical goals in 2021? Jonathan Cilia Faro: My top musical goal for 2021 is to perform live once again, as most artists I miss the live audience. The thrill of engaging others with my music is very important to me. Another goal is to duet with other artists across multiple genres, to show that opera can work in many different forms of music. Natasha Barbieri: What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? Jonathan Cilia Faro: Definitely, all the Christmas related baking is a favorite for me. We bake as a family and that leads to all kinds of fun and the sweets are nice too. Having my family and close friends over for a big dinner, playing the piano and everyone singing,and just enjoying being together and reflecting on the past year. Natasha Barbieri: Tell us about the piece you were featured on in “A Thrill of Hope� and what this particular track means to you. Jonathan Cilia Faro: For me,the word Hope means a great deal. I have lived through many hardships and I try to have hope no matter what, without hope,this world can break you but as long as there is hope in your heart you can overcome many things. A new day is a new beginning for all of us to be better, to be stronger, to be more than we were the day before.
www.jonathancf.com
Sandi Patty
By Joshua Goines
Sandi Patty is a legend in gospel music, known to her fans as “The Voice.” She has 5 Grammy Awards, 40 Dove Awards and has sold over 11 million albums. Throughout her incredible career, Sandi has brought beloved sacred music to fans powered by her classically training and unique interpretations. We are very honored to have our newest team member, Joshua Goines (an incredible musician in his own right) interview Sandi about her career and being featured on the new compilation album A Thrill of Hope.” Joshua Goines: Ms. Sandi Patty, I’d like to start out by saying how thrilled I am to be interviewing you. Your artistry over the course of your career has touched so many people and inspired many of us to come into our own voices. Thank you so much for your ministry. Sandi Patty: It is truly my pleasure, and your kind words mean a great deal to me! Joshua Goines: Those of us who have followed your career for a while have watched as your already eclectic performing style adapted and grew to include so many more different genres of music. Now that you have transitioned more to being retired from the road, do you find that you have more freedom in selecting which projects to work on? Sandi Patty: I am finding two things... ONE: You just can't stray too far from the music that first grounded you. I love church music and have always found a great deal of comfort in that. But TWO: Church music and music with an eternal message has a way of changing and adapting with the times. Music is a personal taste to begin with. It's the lyric and the message that make it 'inspirational' or ‘Christian'. That being said, I'm so thankful that my
parents let me listen to a wide variety of music from Bach to Beethoven to Broadway. So stylistically, I love to listen and sing all styles of music. Joshua Goines: What types of projects do you find yourself drawn to now in this season of your life? Sandi Patty: I'm drawn to music and projects that tell stories. It could be one song. It could be a body of work that unfolds stories. I think that's one reason that I love movie music so much because in the very nature of the writing, it literally "underscores" the story. Joshua Goines: Although you have experience in different genres, you are primarily a Christian artist. How has your faith played a role in your development as an artist? Were you always planning to work for the church or did you feel led to that genre? Sandi Patty: After college, I had hoped to teach school. I had wonderful music teachers growing up, so I was inspired by them to offer a good teaching experience. Whether teaching or singing on stage, my ministry has always been about who I am... music is more about what I do. So, one can be a minister of the gospel, no matter what their profession.
Joshua Goines: You’ve had many of your own Christmas singles, albums, and specials. Tell us about the piece you were featured on in “A Thrill of Hope” and what this particular track means to you. Sandi Patty: I love Christmas music. Plain and simple. I love everything about Christmas - the sights, the sounds, the aroma… the way people pause, just for a moment, and offer kindness. I love the carol "Angels We Have Heard On High”, and I absolutely love the arrangement that Steve Wingfield did. It's a fresh telling of the story without compromising the beautiful and celebrate lyric. I truly love it, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to be part of this project. Joshua Goines: As a musician, I have specific music that I look forward to performing or hearing every year at Christmastime. Sometimes my work traditions line up with my family traditions, but often there is separation between them. What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? Sandi Patty: My favorite thing about Christmas is just being together. We have ages 88 to 1-week olds and we try to gather and sing together. And that is hands down my very favorite thing. Joshua Goines: Your fans are familiar with stories from your years as a student in high school when you emulated Karen Carpenter and then Barbra Streisand before you found your own voice. Which artists are on your playlists now? To whom do you listen to for musical uplifting, celebration, and inspiration?
Sandi Patty: Natalie Grant continues to be my favorite. I adore her. I love Anthony Evans. And I love the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. And my sweet friend Kristin Chenoweth. Joshua Goines: You’ve collaborated with so many musicians from different backgrounds over the years. Is there anyone, from any genre, that you wish you could collaborate with now? And, if you could time travel back in the past, is there any artist or composer that you would be interested in working with? Sandi Patty: I've always wanted to meet Barbra Streisand, and of course I would have loved to sing with her. And to get a chance to work with David Foster would be a dream. One of my favorite producers right now is Bernie Herms. He embodies musical excellence with incredible heart. Joshua Goines: With a career as successful and expansive as yours, I imagine it must be tough to pinpoint specific moments, but are there 2-3 highlights that stand out in your mind that you could share with us? Sandi Patty: As we are talking about Christmas, one of my first big events I was privileged to do was Christmas In Washington when President Regan was in office. It was one of the first television events that I was honored to be part of. The other absolutely favorite Christmas event is when I get to perform with the Indianapolis Symphony every other year for an event called “A Yuletide Celebration”. It is a month long, several shows, all live with singers and orchestra. It’s purely magic and everything Christmas should be!
Joshua Goines: In addition to highlights, there are usually moments that happen that are embarrassing or out of our control, but as the saying goes, “The show must go on”. Have you had any of those moments, and how have you dealt with them? Sandi Patty: There have been times of lyrics missed or microphone drops. But I've always believed those are some of the things that make a live show very interesting. Nothing else that is appropriate to share in this article (ha!) comes to mind. Joshua Goines: What advice would you offer to young musicians who are looking to make their mark on the world? Sandi Patty: The best advice is the advice that no one listens to. Not even my younger self. It's the advice of blooming where you are planted. Asking God, “Use me today God. Right where I am." The best advice is for the Lord to become the center of your world, before you begin thinking about
making a mark on THE world. Study. Learn Music. Take classes. Go to college. These are ALL the things that prepare you. One of my favorite sayings is "opportunity intersects with preparation"! Joshua Goines: Though the pandemic continues, many artists are attempting to look to the future for when new projects can begin or postponed projects may continue. Are there any specific musical endeavors you have for 2021 and beyond? Sandi Patty: Truly a crazy year for sure. WOW. One of the things my husband Don and I have loved doing is a little crazy show on Saturday night on my facebook. It's called Sunsets with Dan and Cindi. We both love sunsets, for all the reasons. And Dan and Cindi (rather than our real names Don and Sandi) are our post-retirement names. I'm also excited to be working on a virtual Christmas special for December this year. A Very Merry Virtual Christmas!
Www.sandipatty.com
James Berrian James Berrian is a baritone and founding member of the vocal group Veritas. He is featured as a soloist on, A Thrill of Hope. Natasha Barbieri: Tell us a little bit about where you grew up and when you first discovered classical music. James Berrian: I grew up in northwest Alabama in the middle of nowhere! Our little town is called Phil Campbell, AL. Suffice it to say, I didn’t discover classical music until I moved away to college to study music education. I remember the first day of college choir, and our director had us sight-sing a Rachmaninoff choral piece called “Bogoroditse Devo.” I had never heard anything like that in my life, and I was HOOKED! I fell madly in love with classical music that day, and it’s a love affair that continues to this day. Natasha Barbieri: Were friends/ family supportive of the style when you started? James Berrian: Absolutely! When I told my family that I had been cast as “Figaro” in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” several of my family members made the long drive to come to my performances. I was surprised to hear how much they enjoyed it after the performance. I think they fell in love with classical music as well!
Natasha Barbieri: Tell us about college because I think that’s a very transformative time for a musician. What are some of the lessons you learned that have helped you develop? James Berrian: As I mentioned, the college was a very transformative time in my musical life. Thankfully, I attended a college that gave me many chances to perform on stage. That was huge for me. I also learned the value of rehearsal and hard work. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to those days in the practice room discovering new and uncharted territories of my voice. It was an amazing time of life! Natasha Barbieri: In your bio, it mentions you love attending concerts. Unfortunately with covid, we can’t see live events but there are so many wonderful online streams popping up. Can you tell us some of your favorites? James Berrian: Well, thanks to Netflix and YouTube, I’ve been able to discover some amazing live performances that were recorded before COVID. One of my favorites has been Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s collaboration concert on
the Qello app. It is unbelievable! Also, Beyonce’s visual album “Black Is King” on Disney+ is incredible. It is visually stunning! Natasha Barbieri: Since you are part of the group Veritas tell us if there were any other bands past or present (regardless of gender) that you would have liked to be part of or even just witness the behind-the-scenes working process of? James Berrian: I’d love to sit in with David Foster in a recording session and see how he pulls the performances out of the artists he produces. He’s worked with some of the greatest artists of alltime, including Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli, and I know I could learn a lot from an experience like that. Also, she isn’t a band, but I find Beyonce’s drive, creativity, and work ethic very inspiring. I would love to sit in one of her rehearsals and see how she works. Natasha Barbieri: Do you have a favorite piece to perform? James Berrian: One of the defining moments in my career was getting to perform a piece I had written with my friend, Jay Rouse, called “More Than Conquerors” at Carnegie Hall a couple years ago. I love performing that song. Natasha Barbieri: What is the first thing you plan to do after covid?
James Berrian: Go to a CONCERT! Natasha Barbieri: What are some of your musical goals in 2021? James Berrian: I can’t wait to get back on the road with my group, Veritas, and tour our new album, Decades! We’ve been working really hard with our producer, David Hamilton, in Nashville, and we can’t wait for people to start hearing what we’ve been pouring our hearts into this year. Natasha Barbieri: What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? James Berrian: Christmas morning breakfast is one of my favorite traditions! Every year, my dad wakes up early and makes his famous homemade biscuits. Being from the south, I love biscuits, but there’s something extra special about having them on Christmas morning with my family. Natasha Barbieri: Tell us about the piece you were featured on in “A Thrill of Hope” and what this particular track means to you. James Berrian: I was very honored to sing a duet with my friend, Kate Stanford, on the classic Christmas carol “Hark The Herald Angels Sing.” It’s a beautiful arrangement that was recorded with the Moscow Symphony. It’s a gorgeous blend of classic, sacred Christmas and nostalgia. I couldn’t be more proud of how it turned out!
www.veritasfive.com
Christmas f
from Home John Risen
John Risen first began to make a name for himself as a pitcher. Since then he has gone on to make a name for himself in Opera starring in various roles and performing around the world and for special audiences including President Barack Obama. This year, in the midst of COVID-19 he teamed together with his wife, Gillian (also a professional opera singer) to create a special album entitled, Christmas at Home. Natasha Barbieri: What is your earliest Christmas memory? John Risen: When I was younger, my family would get together at my grandparent's home in the mountains of Brevard, NC. We called it the "Ru-Bob" resort (Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Bob's home). We all lived scattered across the world (literally, my cousins at one point lived in Egypt), and we would gather together under one roof. I can remember sitting by the fireplace with our siblings and cousins just playing board games. Looking back, that time was so incredibly special to me. Natasha Barbieri: Can you remember the first carol you performed? John Risen: I can. I started singing later than most, having been a highlevel baseball player before being a singer. I was encouraged by my grandmother to take voice lessons in high school, and I remember being with all my cousins around Christmas time and being egged on to sing O Holy Night in public. It was always my favorite carol, and I knew it well-- so I put my courage together and sang it. It was exhilarating and a fond memory I think of to this day now that my grandmother is no longer with us. It's one of the many reasons I recorded my
own version of O Holy Night on this very album. Natasha Barbieri: Do you remember the first time you saw each other? John Risen: Vividly. We met on the driveway of the resident housing provided by Shreveport Opera in Bossier City, Louisiana. Gillian was unpacking with her parents when I pulled up to the house. Apparently, her mother insisted she go outside and help me move in. It was meant to be! We talked, became fast friends, and also started running together for workouts starting the very next day! Natasha Barbieri: Were you involved in any concerts or romantic onstage roles? John Risen: Absolutely. We've sung countless duet concerts together, along with charity events, fundraisers, and galas, and of course have been in many shows together. We've even had an opera written for us by a dear friend (the incredibly talented Evan L. Snyder). We started as fiancĂŠes in this amazing Sherlock Holmsian murder mystery called "A Capacity for Evil." It was so fun to not even ACT in love. Natasha Barbieri: Did you always have a musical chemistry?
John Risen: Yes. Very much yes. We were trying very hard not to fall in love while working together but the connection we shared was so strong we eventually couldn't resist. I suppose looking back after being married nearly 4 years with a newborn son, it's kind of cute how hard we tried to not be together at first. I recall a very particular concert before dating where the host took me aside, after hearing us sing the famous love duet "Stranger in Paradise" from Kismet, to tell me I'd be a, "fool to not pursue what is in your heart for that young woman"! Natasha Barbieri: Tell us about some of the places you traveled together and what repertoire you were performing. John Risen: Most recently, we did a socially distanced duet concert of opera and musical theatre selections for Intermountain Opera Bozeman in Bozeman, Montana, and before that, we did a similar concert in Detroit to raise money for a breast cancer charity named "Shades of Pink". Before COVID-19 hit we were doing 9-10 duets concerts a year in places like Miami, Fl, Columbus, OH, Saugatuck, MI, Hart, MI, Detroit, MI and many other places. We've also had the great pleasure of being cast together in many operas and musical theatre shows like A Little Night Music, Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore, Madama Butterfly, Carmen, Dead Man Walking, Aida, etc! We LOVE singing together, plus we don't have to be apart!
Natasha Barbieri: Being a musical couple, was music a big part of your wedding? John Risen: Yes and no. Believe it or not, neither of us wanted to sing as part of the wedding. We felt that we wanted to leave work at work, and enjoy our special day without feeling a need to perform or "sound good". HOWEVER, we did pick the performers and music played very carefully and it was SO beautiful. It was a perfect, beautiful day. Natasha Barbieri: How long have you wanted to put together an album like "Christmas at Home?" John Risen: I've wanted to make a duet album with Gillian for years. When we first started dating, we were resident artists with Shreveport Opera in Louisiana and would sing love duets constantly. Once we were married, we started performing duet concerts and recitals around the USA and people began encouraging us to make an album together. Christmas music was an obvious choice for us, as it's one of our favorite times of year, and we have such a passion for the music. We mentioned to several colleagues and mentors the idea of us doing a duet album of Christmas classics and got such an enthusiastic response that we realized it was meant to be. Natasha Barbieri: How does the planning begin for you. Is it very organized with spreadsheets or more organic sitting at a piano? John Risen: I am a big dreamer. For me, it started with the idea that people are in need of a pick-me-up. I then
realized the only way I could make an impact right now without the ability to hold an actual performance was to make an album. From there I needed sponsorship. I sent out some feelers to organizations and once Box Five Productions out of metro Detroit showed interest, I jumped immediately to dream repertoire. It took a matter of an hour to have a list of 20 songs I wanted to perform with Gillian and then we narrowed it down to our favorite 11. Natasha Barbieri: How early on in the process did your accompaniment Neill Campbell get involved? John Risen: From the very conception. Last year in October, Neill and I recorded our first album, "What You'd Call a Dream" featuring all musical theatre, opera, and crossover songs that we had performed together around the USA for years. When covid took away the possibility of performing on stage we started brainstorming. As the summer passed by and the sponsorship came for an album, we immediately jumped in on a Christmas classics album. From there, Neill and I started "sketching" out the arrangements, and once we had an idea for the songs Neill took over and actually arranged all the parts including the piano, drums, strings, guitar, jingle bells, and more. Natasha Barbieri: Tell us a little bit about the production during this lockdown time. There must have been quite a few challenges! John Risen: Great question. Thankfully, we were already in a "quarantine bubble" with Neill Campbell and his wife Lindsay, and so we were able to work together side by side for much of the process. However, Chris Glassman (bass trombone) was able to record his solos and harmonies from his home with his own professional-grade equipment! In fact, he improvised ALL of his additions to the album. Mind blowing. Then, with the studio sessions for vocals and piano, we
Avail
established protocols with Sergei Kvitko (producer of Blue Griffin Recording) where we could all social distance and be separated the whole time. Gillian and I, as a married couple, stayed together but otherwise, we never came in contact with anyone else. It was great teamwork and very safe! Natasha Barbieri: What do you hope people will take away from this album? John Risen: Truly, we hope that this album can remind people that even after such a challenging year, there is joy, hope, and love left in the world. The holidays will likely be different this year for so many, and we wanted to send the message that this "Christmas at Home" can still be special and shared with loved ones.
lable Now! Heartwarming classics for the modern classical fan
www.johnriesen.com
@classcrossmag www.classicalcrossovermagazine.us