lEADERS of smo

The Singing Men of Ohio are unique in the way our leadership functions. Operating both as a School of Music ensemble and a Student Organization there are many opportunities for leadership. 

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music Director - Dr. Bradley Naylor

Dr. Bradley Naylor joined Ohio University in the Fall of 2017 as the School of Music's Director of Choral Activities. He is the conductor of both The Singing Men of Ohio and the University Singers. Dr. Naylor also serves as Assistant Professor of Conducting. He traveled 

extensively and lived throughout the United States before migrating to small town Athens, Ohio, performing in Scotland, England, Wales, Croatia, China, and beyond.

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Dr. Naylor hails from Houston, Texas. He received his bachelor of arts in music from Brown University, graduating magna cum laude. He earned his masters in choral conducting from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Yale University School of Music. While there, he studied with Marguerite Brooks Simon Carrington. 

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Before Dr. Naylor started his time at Ohio University, he was the Director of Choral Music at Kentucky Wesleyan College. While at the University of Georgia, he was Assistant Professor and director of The Men's and Women's Glee Clubs in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.

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For more information, you can find his professional website here.

collaborative Pianist - Mercy Olson

Mercy Olson is a collaborative piano graduate student at Ohio University studying with Emely Phelps. For her assistantship, she teaches class piano and accompanies The Singing Men of Ohio and student soloists. She is also an instructor at the Athens Community Music School. 

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Mercy is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Toledo where she studied under Dr. Michael Boyd. At UT she partnered with student singers and instrumentalists on degree recitals, Honors Recitals at the Toledo Museum of Art, and premiering the works of student composers at the UT New Music Festivals. In addition, she performed Maslanka's Concerto No 3 for Piano & Wind Ensemble. Ms. Olson taught group piano classes and private lessons through

UT’s community music program. While at UT she was treasurer and then president of the University of Toledo Mu Phi Epsilon chapter. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she accompanied the choirs at Bedford Public Schools.

 Ms. Olson is a collegiate member of the Music Teachers National Association and the Toledo Piano Teachers Association. Besides choral and duo collaborations, Mercy enjoys ensemble work in musical pits. When home, she is involved in the music program at her church.

Executive Board

The Executive Board are a group of students elected by the ensemble to carry our various tasks and take on responsibilities for the group. They meet weekly and run all Student Organization operations in collaboration with the Music Director.

Justin Kopicko

Tour Manager

Luke Fortunato

Merchandise Manager

Corey Harper

Vice President

Austin Hassel

Recruitment Manager

Benjamin Carman

Treasurer

Jack Marks

Secretary

Student Music Director

Selected by the Music Director, the Student Music Director helps lead the ensemble during section rehearsals and while the Director is away. The position is not always filled. It is at the discretion of the Music Director to appoint a Student Music Director or not. 

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The Student Music Director for 2019-2020 was Mr. Nicholas Langer

Section Leaders

Section Leaders are also selected by the Music Director. Section Leaders are responsible for leading sectional rehearsals as well as taking attendance at all rehearsals, performances, and functions.

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The 2019-2020 Section Leaders:

Tenor I: 

Casey Brothers

Jack Marks

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Tenor II:

Rick Duffus

Trey Mandt

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Baritone:

Aidan Vandestadt

Noah Wolf

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Bass:

Lukas Johansson

George Shillcock