Matthew Crandall, Director

Matthew Crandall first got involved in barbershop when he was in high school choir. Nagged for six months until he finally caved in, he attended his first chapter meeting. Three weeks later, he sang on the chapter show, and the following week he turned in his application for membership in the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America...and hasn't looked back since.

Being male, he's had some experience with Sweet Adelines. In addition to his wife Deena being an International First Place chorus medalist Sweet Adeline herself (winning her gold with the Melodeers in 1997), he served as an Assistant Director of the Magic Harmony chorus, a Sweet Adelines chapter in Evansville, IN.

He has traveled all over the United States, and has been involved in Barbershopping wherever he goes. A quartet man at heart but a chorus man in practice, Matthew has sung in several quartets and a number of choruses all over the Society, including Walnut Creek, CA; Northwest Chicago Metro, IL; and Northbrook, IL--where he won four International Second Place chorus medals. He is also a former Frontline Chorus Director and Assistant Director with the Evansville, IN chapter and former Assistant Director of the Chicago (IL) #1 Chapter.

In the fall of 2004, the Crandalls moved to the Eugene area to be closer to family. That move led to his transferring his membership to the Eugene, OR. chapter. Not long after his transfer, he assumed the position of Assistant Director of the Eugene, OR. Cascade Chorus. He also currently serves as the director of the Florence, OR. Harbormasters chorus.

In addition to directing off and on, in his twenty-plus years as a Barbershopper Matthew has served as a Chapter Historian, Assistant Program Vice President, Music and Performance Vice President, and Chapter Secretary. He recently completed several years of hard work and received his Director's Certification from the Barbershop Harmony Society in April, 2005. He has also received a Bachelor of Barbershop Harmony from the Evergreen District.

He is fond of telling people "Barbershop is more like an extended family than a hobby. What else can you do that people will welcome a total stranger like long-lost family after only 10 minutes? It's also great to start as a young person, because you get all kinds of advice-and at the same time you are expected to carry your part."

Be a part of something you will remember for the rest of your life.

Discover the joy of singing barbershop harmony.
Women singers are always welcome to our rehearsals.
Hood River Valley
Sweet Adeline Chorus
Come check us out -- and join in the fun!

For more information, call 541-490-2481 or email Hood River Valley Chorus