Random Acts of Music feat. Matt Morgan with host, Henry J. Konczak!

In September I had the pleasure of filming an episode of Random Acts of Music with host Henry J. Konczak and producer Nate Lockwood in the historic Lions Lincoln Theater (Massillon, OH).  The three song mini-show features an exclusive, previously unreleased song called "HELLOHIO!" and a short interview.  The show will be broadcast on cable TV for 2 weeks, or you can watch it here...

See You Soon Ohio!

I'm beyond excited to head back home to Ohio next weekend for two great shows to benefit good causes!

Friday - Sept 12th, I'll be opening for Chris Bosca's CD Release at King Avenue 5  in Columbus, OH at 8pm.  Proceeds from the show will go to benefit Youth Across Borders, which is a non-profit organization that is sending central Ohio youth living with HIV to Honduras, where they will volunteer for Montana de Luz, a home for HIV+ children.  Tickets available here.

Saturday, Sept 13th, I'm very excited to get the chance to sit in with Henry J. Konczak at the benefit concert for Sharon Budd being held at Giesen Haus in North Canton at 5pm.  The concert is being held to raise money to help offset medical bills for Budd, a teacher at Perry High School who was the victim of a brutal rock throwing incident.  No tickets needed, but come early if you want to get a good seat.

Sunday, Sept 14th, Lastly, I'll be shooting some videos for Random Acts of Music.  The show hosted by Henry J. Konczak features original songs by independent artists and is available both online, as well as featured on Time Warner cable.  I'm super excited to be doing this and I'll be joined by producer Nate Lockwood, who is currently producing my next solo EP.  Nate will be joining me at all three events.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT...VOCI Virtual Choir Commission!

I am deeply honored to have been commissioned by Artistic Director, Loren Veigel, to compose a song for the 75th Anniversary Celebration Concert by Voices of Canton (VOCI), being held October 12th at Church of the Lakes in Canton, OH at 3:30pm!  The concert will span the entire 75 year history of the chorus featuring musical selections from the past, present...and future.

As we move into a future where music and technology go hand in hand, Mr. Veigel invited me to compose a piece for the chorus following the style and format of the virtual choir created by Grammy-winning composer, Eric Whitaker.  I quickly realized that I had to make this piece my my own, so starting with chordal accompaniment on acoustic guitar and layering in voice parts I created a folk hymn entitled, "Many Voices".  Incidentally, the word VOCI means "many voices" in Italian.

The music is being sent to the choir via email and will ultimately be recorded in a mobile, satellite studio in Canton, OH by producer Nate Lockwood.  Nate is a graduate of the Music Technology program at Capital University and currently works as a freelance producer and production coordinator for Christian Howes Strings.  Nate has worked with several big clients in his young professional career and I'm happy to say that he is currently producing my next solo EP! (But, that's another big announcement that will have to wait a little longer...)

I'm very grateful to Mr. Veigel for asking me to participate in this project.  I've know Loren since I was a little boy when my mother (Paula Morgan) was employed as accompanist and vocal coach for the Jackson High School choral program in Massillon, OH (my Alma mater) and my sister (Amy Morgan Tomas) was a member of the choir.  I also toured Europe as a teenager with the Ohio Honors Chorale under Loren's direction.  Furthermore, both of my parents are members of VOCI.  You can see my dad (Dennis Morgan) performing with the choir on the far-right, 2nd row down from the top in this picture.

This is truly an honor to have the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of performers.  Music is a living thing and I'm thrilled and humbled to hand the song over to VOCI, who I know will turn it into something beautiful to be shared with the world!  I sang with the chorus for a short time when it was called the Canton Civic Opera while I was a voice major at Capital U.  Therefore, I know first-hand the level of dedication these musicians have to the performance and future direction of choral music.  I can't wait for the the concert on October 12th!