LATEST NEWS (7/13/2010) BROTHER TO BROTHER The Spires perform, al fresco and impromptu, at the 2010 Villanova Singers Legacy Event in March (7/12/2010) THIS IS WHY WE SING Villanova University has posted a video of Singers at the Villanova Singers Legacy Event 2010 performing "Why We Sing"; be sure to check it out! (5/17/2010) ENDOWMENT FUND: SO CLOSE! 99 PERCENT... CURRENT TOTAL: $198,643.85, which is 99 % of our initial goal of $200,000. When the endowment fund reaches this target, the endowment will be able to fund its first tour. If you can, please donate now - before the end of May (the end of Villanova's fiscal year) - to help us get the Singers on the road for a tour in the 2010-11 school year. Your donation to the Villanova Singers Endowment Fund will support Singers Tours... forever! Over the years, the cost of a Singers tour has grown dramatically, and the Singers budget has not. The result: a dramatic cutback in touring. The Endowment Fund is designed to help the Villanova Singers stay "on the road." Your donation will be placed in a "pool of cash" that will fund tours with the managed returns earned by the endowment; the principal will remain in place permanently to fund future tours. It's easy: click on the ENDOWMENT tab to learn how to direct your donation to the Endowment Fund. You can contribute in several ways: on-line with a credit card, by mail with a check, or via automatic withdrawal from your bank account. You can opt to spread your donation over time, giving an amount you choose on a bi-monthly, monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual basis. You can set it up so the amount you desire is automatically transferred from your bank account to the Endowment Fund for the duration you determine. All contributions are fully tax deductible. If your company has a matching gift program, this can multiply your gift. Please note: it is EXTREMELY important that your specify that your donation is for "The Villanova Singers Endowment Fund." If you just specify "Villanova Singers," the money may be directed to the Singers current annual budget, and will not permanently fund tours in the Endowment. To see the updated list of donors, and instructions on how you can contribute, click on the Endowment tab, or on the "donate now" button below. (5/17/2010) LEGACY 2010 PHOTOS Click HERE to view photos from the Legacy 2010 events from Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. (5/17/2010) WELCOME NEW OFFICERS Congratulations to the recently-elected Villanova Singers 2010 - 2011 Executive Board: President Shawn Morris (2011), Vice President Kent Maghacut (2011), Tour Director Greg Moore (2011), Treasurer Michael Distasio (2011), Alumni Chair Colby Haring (2013), Secretary Tom McHugh (2012), Fundraising Chair Eddie Klein (2012), Publicity Chair Russel Quinones (2013), Librarian Chris Denny (2013), Historian Chris Paulison (2013), and Webmaster Chris Chestnut (2013). We wish you and all your brothers in song a great summer and 2010-2011 Season! (3/22/2010) THANKS TO ALL... for making the Villanova Singers Legacy weekend a remarkable event. Check the photo page for pictures documenting the event. See the list of who was there (on this page, in the third column). (9/5/2009) MAGICAL MUSICAL MEMORIES Click the REPERTOIRE TAB and listen to songs performed by the Villanova Singers, Spires, and Perfect Union. There are recordings from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s, so please expect the sound quality to vary a bit! The Spires selections include several songs from the original (1962-63) Spires featuring Tommy West, Tim Hauser, and Jim Croce (that's Jim Croce at the beginning of Kilgarra Mountain). Thanks to Tom Picardo (Tommy West), founding Director of the Spires, for the superb-quality versions of these original Spires recordings. You can download any of these songs if you'd like to enjoy them on your iPod or burn them to a CD. Six decades of Singers tours add up to a lot of fine memories! An early 70's Singers tour (2/28/2010) REST IN PEACE Mike Luisi, who was director of the Villanova Singers from Fall 1981 through May 1984, passed away on February 24, 2010 at the age of 58 after a long illness. Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association, 321 Norristown Road, Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002. (1/27/2010) WELCOME BACK, FATHER DOHERTY Bill Ippolito, Class of 1972, and Edward C. Doherty, OSA, who served as Singers Moderator from 1962 to 1974, at the Spring Concert on April 18, 2009. Father Doherty is back on the Villanova campus, living in the monastery. SINGERS DIRECTORS: A HISTORY Harold Gill Reuschlein, founding Director of the Villanova Singers, also was the founder of the Villanova Law School. For more, see the History tab. Director Herbert Fiss, who led the Singers from 1957-1977, had a profound impact on hundreds of Singers. For memories of Herbert Fiss, see the History tab. To listen to voice clips of Mr. Fiss giving guidance during a Singers practice from 1977, his final year as Director, right click HERE, and choose "Save Target As" to download the mp3 file to your computer. This file should play on iTunes, Windows Media Player, Real Audio and any other media player. When you see "Download Complete" you can click on the "Open" button to listen immediately. Father Denis Wilde directed the Singers from Fall 1977 through May 1981 and from Fall 1984 through May 1988. Adriane Torrisi directed the Villanova Singers during the 1988-89 and the 1989-90 seasons. Villanova Singers Director Brian Meneely took over as Director in the Fall of 1990. The 2009-2010 school year marks Brian's twentieth season leading the group. Site Counters Visits total: 72439 Visits today: 41 Visits yesterday: 78 Visits month: 3469		WHAT IS THE VILLANOVA SINGERS LEGACY? The Villanova Singers Legacy is an exciting initiative for all Villanova Singers, current and past. The goal of the "Singers Legacy" is to connect "Brothers in Song" of all ages and assure that the traditions of the Singers - music, brotherhood, and touring - are enjoyed and passed on, up and down, from generation to generation. One activity of the Villanova Singers Legacy is a weekend of song and celebration for current and past Singers. At the inaugural Legacy Weekend in 2007, more than 150 Singers and 100 guests gathered to reconnect, reminisce, and (of course) sing. The 2008 Legacy Weekend took place at Villanova on April 4-6, 2008, with more than 200 Singers and over 80 guests. The most recent Legacy Weekend took place at Villanova March 19-21, 2010. Singers from seven decades, from the founding Class of 1956 through the class of 2013, found the event to be an enjoyable, memorable, and moving experience. The next Singers Legacy Weekend will take place in 2012. NOTE: You can always get to the HOME page by clicking on the Singers logo in the upper left corner... learn more Tour Director Greg Moore (2011) and Publicity Chair Russell Quinones (2013) are members of the Singers' 2010-11 Executive Committee. Chris Chestnut (Class of 2013) at Legacy 2010. Senior Jonathan and Freshman Kyra Limberakis at the Singers/Voices Spring Concert, May 2010. Paul "Major" Trahey (11) at Legacy 2010 ORIGINS Before attending Villanova, Tom Picardo co-founded a doo wop group called the Criterions with his friend Tim Hauser. At Villanova, Tom and Tim performed in the Singers, and Tom was the founding Director of the Villanova Spires. Other members of the 1962-63 Spires were Jack Armstrong, Jack Blake, Jim Croce, Tim Hauser, Jim Quinn, Frank Romano, Ron Sisca, and John Sperger. After graduation, Tim created the group Manhattan Transfer. Tom sang and released albums (using the stage name Tommy West) as Cashman, Pistilli, and West; Cashman & West; and the Buchanan Brothers; and he released a solo album. Tom produced Jim Croce's albums; he continues to produce music today. To read an interview with Tommy West, click HERE. Manhattan Transfer performing at Trude Heller's, 1973. Tim Hauser (63), sports a top hat. Manhattan Transfer founder Tim Hauser (bottom right above), with Manhattan Transfer today. His partners are Alan Paul, Janis Siegel, and Cheryl Bentyne. Jim Croce, Class of 1965, was a member of the Singers and The Spires (who used the name "Coventry Lads" when they were performing at events not sponsored by Villanova). After Villanova, Jim pursued a music career, and found success. He died, tragically, in a plane crash at age 30, shortly before the release of his fifth album. Two of his singles, "Time in a Bottle" and "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" reached Number 1 on the Billboard chart. ONCE UPON A TIME... Bob Hoff (left) and and Chris "Bongo" Soltis (right) offer support to Geoffrey Swetz at the Singers Dinner Dance in April 1991. Regis Tour, 1995 The 1996-97 Spires Saint Louis Bound: The 71-72 Singers embark on a Midwest tour in March 1972. Harold Gill Reuschlein, organist, author, founder and first Director of the Villanova Singers, and founder of the Villanova Law School. Jan Montero, Class of 1966, on tour in Chicago in 1965. Go to Repetoire page to hear Villanova Singers from every decade. You can download songs to your pc and transfer them to your ipod or listen on your computer via a media player. DID YOU KNOW? ALMA MATER FUN FACTS: Al Dubin and Joseph Burke, the two men responsible for Villanova's Alma Mater, have a pretty impressive songbook. Working together or with other collaborators, they are responsible for works such as I Only Have Eyes for You, We're in the Money, Forty-Second Street, Pennies From Heaven, Rambling Rose, Shuffle Off to Buffalo, the Academy Award winning Lullaby of Broadway, and the infamous Tip Toe Through the Tulips With Me. You can find the Alma Mater lyrics (to all three verses), sheet music, and versions recorded by the Villanova Singers and Band on the Villanova University website . You will find the Singers’ sheet music and another Singers recorded version by clicking the Repertoire tab above. As Villanova has been coed for some time, the line "loyal sons of Villanova" is typically now sung as "loyal heirs of Villanova." Want to sing the Alma Mater in Latin? Check it out . LEAVE AN ECHO RINGING Congratulations to the Senior Singers who just joined the ranks of Singers alumni: Kyle Dean, Miggy Guitierrez, Vince Vuono, Charlie Gillespie, Jeff McGoldrick, Jonathan Limberakis, and Kevin Lavery. Warm wishes for good music and great success in the future. LEGACY 2010 Ron Sisca (63) and Frank Romano (66) reminisce at Legacy 2010. Ron and Frank were members of the 1962-63 Spires, whose members included Jim Quinn and Tom Picardo (both also at the Legacy Event), plus Jack Armstrong, Jack Blake, Jim Croce, Tim Hauser, and John Sperger. Founding Director of the folk-influenced Villanova Spires Tom Picardo (Class of 1963) with current Spires (and recent Spires grads) at Legacy 2010.To learn more about Tom, see "Origins" in the center column. Reverends Edward C. Doherty and Denis Wilde celebrated a special Villanova Singers Legacy 2010 mass on Sunday morning. LOOK WHO CAME! Founding Brothers from the 1950s. Front: Sir Bob Lima (57), Mary Eddinger, Jack Eddinger (56). Back: Connie "Moose" Urban (56), Chuck Brockman (57), Jim Fox (58) Dave Paolantonio (72), Reverend Edward C. Doherty, OSA (Villanova Singers Moderator from 1962 to 1974), and Richard "Pop" Floyd (72) Joe "Pidge" Hawkins (08), Bill Hanlon (08), and Bill Ippolito (72). Remo Caputo (71), Bill Cavanagh (68), and Jack Csaklos (68) Singers who attended Legacy 2010: Father Edward Doherty (Moderator 1962-74), Father Denis Wilde (Director 1977-81 and 1984-86), Brian Meneely (Current Director, celebrating his 20th anniversary of leading the Singers), Father Peter Donohue, President of Villanova 1950s Jack Eddinger (56), Jack Padova (56), Connie "Moose" Urban (56 - first president of The Villanova Singers), Chuck Brockman (57), Sir Bob Lima (57), Jim Fox (58) 1960s Tom Picardo [Tommy West] (63), Ron Sisca (63), Michael Ferrara (64), Phil Maher (64), Jim Quinn (64), Ted Braun (65), George Esser (65), Mike Neuman (65), Clinton Powers (65), Jim Sulzmann (65), Barry Burke (66), Jim Debesis (66), Ralph Litzenberger (66), Frank Romano (66), Ron Turiello (66), Jeff Richard (67), Fred Butler (68), Bill Cavanagh (68), Bob Chaves (68), Jack Csaklos (68), Newton Gilchrist (68), Joe Purifico (68), Jim "Grimble" Vincenzo (68), Richard Kaplan (69), Aurelio Pontarelli (69) 1970s Mike DiVernieri (70), Denny Garbo (70), Rick Grabowski (70), Don Hoyt (70), Rich Orose (70), Bob Pizzano (70), Mike Pouy (70), Bob Rodachy (70), Ray Santanna (70), John Sgrignoli (70), Remo Caputo (71), Tom "TK" Kane (71), Paul McIlvaine (71), Jim O'Brien (71), Joe Deviney (72), Bill Eads (72), Dan Fazzini (72), Pop Floyd (72), Bill Ippolito (72), Barry Marron (72), Dave Mikowychok (72), Joe Orazi (72), Dave Paolantonio (72), Bill Grabowski (73), John Hulka (73), Paul Orleman (73), Steve Riley (73), Gene Riordan (73), Herb Sudfeld (73), John Aiello (74), Joe Goldschmidt (74), Bob Hughes (74), Jack Kelly (74), Mark klimas (74), Dave Koch (74), Lev White McQuillan (74), Bob Anderson (75), Ed Connell 975), Fred Hugue (75), Mike Rosci (75), Andy Carrabus (76), Mike "The Don" Filoromo (76), Bill Gambogi (76), Jack Nash (76), Jim Fongheiser (77), Rick Lenahen (77), Jim McCulla (77), Glenn Reitmeier (77), Tom Pyne (78), Dan Callahan (79), Joe Carmichael (79), Bob Crowley (79), George Halcovage (79), Sue Lyons (79), Pete McGowan (79) 1980s Tom Bucaria (80), Brian Duggan (80), Greg "Moose" Faust (80), Ferd Gunther (80), Dean rosci (80), Joe Beebe (81), Jim Anderson (82), Ron Schnellbacher (82), Fran Halcovage (83), Joe Lynch (83), Chris Carmichael (84), Duane Siberski (84), Robert "Zamp" Zampetti (84), Dave Klein (85), Nick Orlando (85), Dominic DiMartino (86), Ken McEllyn (86), Tim Koob (87) 1990s Dan Giacobbe (93), Bob Hoff (94), Steve Glaab (98) 2000s Rich Chesney (00), Eric Clark (02), Kevin Chupka (03), Paul Gladney (04), Jim Murdoch (04), Nate Wildfire (04), Drew Boles (05), Ryan Corbi (05), Michael Fink (05), Jim Greenspan (06), Jason O'Brien (06), Kevin Schulz (05), Phil Shodder (06), Matt Cannon (07), Chris Fisher (07), Broc Flores (07), Mike Flynn (07), Brendan Reilly (07), Nick Sampogna (07), Niki Beaumariage (08), Bill Hanlon (08), Joe "Pidge" Hawkins (08), Jimmy Belasco (09), Andrew Clare (09), Matt "Frenchy" Gerard (09), James "Jimbo" Klein (09), Ryan McCann (09), Matt "Rusty" Rusk (09) Class of 2010: Charlie Gillespie, Kevin Lavery , Jon Limberakis, Jeff McGoldrick, and Vince Vuono Class of 2011: Mike Distasio, Phil Hearn, Pat Hoy, Chris Irving, Paul Lee, Kent Maghacut, Kylr McConville, Thomas McHugh , E.J. Mentry, Greg "Moose" Moore, Shawn Morris, Logan O'Dea, Greg Sleasman, Paul Trahey, Adam West Class of 2012: Teague Avent, Alexander Bernato, Patrick Borja, Eric Chen, Justin Cooper, Taylor Cooper, Mike Donio, Ahmed El-Razi, Eddie Klein, Andrew Masiello, Moe Htet Mgint, Andres Ortiz-Gomez, Dave Soto Class of 2013: Chris Chestnut, Haring Colby, Matthew Colon, Chris Denny, Joseph Denny, Nicolas Giraldo-Wingler, Patrick Hamlet, Sean Hannan, Paul Keaney, Alexander Kersten, Joseph Kiley, Michael Neal, Kevin O'Leary, Chris Paulison, and Russel Quinones. FLASHBACK: The 1963 Villanova Spires boasted a particularly heavy dose of musical talent. Front Row: Tom Picardo, Frank Romano, Ron Sisca, Jim Quinn. Tom, Frank, Ron, and Jim all returned for Legacy Weekend 2010. Back Row: Tim Hauser, Jack Armstrong, John Sperger, Jack Blake, Jim Croce. To learn more about the current Spires, visit the Spires website. You'll also find information about ordering Spires CDs. LEGACY 2010 The Villanova Singers Legacy Event is designed to connect generations of Singers. At Legacy 2010, the alumni and current Singers who attended spanned seven decades. Close to 200 Singers performed songs from all seven decades of the Singers repertoire. LEGACY EVENT 2010: MUSIC AND MEMORIES Andrew Clare (09), Phil "Big Tuna" Hern (11), and Director Brian Meneely , who is celebrating his twentieth season as Director of the Villanova Singers Ryan Corbi (05), Niki Beaumariage (08), and Doctor Kevin Schulz (05) FIND YOURSELF! WE HAVE OVER 1000+ PICTURES ON-LINE FOR YOU TO VIEW. Graduating classes from all seven decades are represented (50s to 10's). Please click on the button below to be taken to our photos page where you can view AND register with your email to upload your pictures right to the site. WE NEED YOUR HELP! We would like your assistance in identifying many photos, particularly those from the 90's and the 60's, so please add your comments if you can identify date, location, etc. We also need 50's, 80's, and 90's guys to dig into their archives and post more photos of Singers and Singers events. Thanks for helping us fill in pieces of the past!
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