STU BABY IN THE HOUSE! I have to let you know about my friend Stuart Hunt. I met him while working on Elton John’s AIDA. Being new in town there was a lot of info I needed and he totally hooked me up. He’s one of the “good guys”. Not only did he hook me up, but spent a considerable amount of time detailing his approach to orchestra scores, choral conducting and mindset on preparing music for performance.

(Photo - at Intermission where Stuart was conducting Guys and Dolls - Stuart (left) and Conrad (right).

So let me tell you what I like most about Stuart. Stuart DEALS. What’s that? People that “deal” are the people that jump right in and start getting things done, they don’t mess around. I went to see Jacques Brel at the Lincoln Theatre, Stuart saw me and grabbed me by the arm to give me a tour of the whole backstage area and introduced me to all the players. Then before the show and at intermission brought up all the little nuances and music approaches to listen for. It was intense. Stuart is intense. I like that.

I had told him I needed some assistance on preparing a score. Most people would have given a couple tips over the phone. Not Stuart - he cleared a day for me, had me come over to his house and sat down with me in person to go over the score in detail. What kind of man is this? I thought…that would take this time. Stuart has a passion for music that is totally absorbing, that is our common bond. So if he has time he will help where he can. This should be the NORM where people share their experience like this. Sadly it is not. Stuart is a priceless treasure to the arts in Skagit County, in my very not so humble opinion.

We also share a religious conviction that commands our work to be the best it can be. That is a strong bond and he has been very open with me about his personal testimony, which aside from music is most moving by itself.

Stuart Hunt has been an incredible inspiration and resource to me. His insight particularly into choral music is mind blowing. So a big thumbs up to Stu Baby for being one of the “good guys”, and I highly recommend him for any choral or conducting work.

STUART HUNT - BIO

Stuart Hunt has an Associate of Arts degree from Lower Columbia College, and a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music from the University of Washington, studing conducting under Prof. Rodney Eichenberger. He was Director of Choral activities in Quincy, WA for eighteen years and was Choral Conductor at Marysville-Pilchuck for twelve years. Mr. Hunt was the Associate Conductor of the Seattle Girl’s Choirs from 1990-2003. Choirs under his direction have performed 7 concert tours of the US West and East coasts, 5 concert tour of British Columbia, and 2 5-nation concert tours of Central Europe-with second and third prizes in the Vienna Youth and International Festival. In 2000 Seattle Girl’s Choir Cantamus, under his direction, placed 2nd in the International Kathaumixw, the highest place of any choir in Norht America of 42 choirs from 25 nations.

For two years, he was a staff arranger for Warner Bros. Music, arranging the Supersound series for string orchestra. His choral compositions are published by Hinshaw Music. He is past president of the Sno-King music educators and served 5 years as Pacific Northwest Repertoire and Standards Men’s Choir Chair for the American Choral Directors Association.

Since 2004, he has been a board member of the Skagit Performing Arts Council and conducts or voice coaches an average of 3 musicals per year - most recently: Oklahoma, Annie, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, The Magic Flute, Oliver, The Sound of Music, Wonderful Life, Elton John’s AIDA and Guys and Dolls. Active as an adjudicator, lecturer, clinician, independent conductor, and arts curriculum consultant for school districts, Mr. Hunt has a lovely wife, 4 children and is the founder of the Northern Sound Children’s Choirs and conductor of the Adoria Treble Choir.

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