Brian Black - Tenor

Brian was born in London, Ontario but grew up down Highway 401 in Kitchener.  He began to sing with other children in public school glee club.  Was it coincidence that Brian was placed in a compulsory vocal music class in grade nine at Eastwood Collegiate?  Here he met his choral mentor and teacher Raymond Daniels.
Brian has varied musical interests and experience.  He has contributed to several Broadway Musicals and Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas.  Brian’s lyrical tenor voice was perfect for lead roles such as Nanki-Poo in Mikado and Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore. He has sung folk music with his pal Glen Lees under the name Tapestry.Brian has been sought by several chamber choirs to sing classical  music of all periods.   He was a founding member of Renaissance Singers.  Since that time, Brian has performed classical and contemporary music for choirs such as Da Capo in Waterloo, Bach-Elgar in Hamilton and Blyth Festival Singers.   He has benefited greatly from the choral direction of Raymond Daniels, Leonard Enns, Wayne Strongman, Robert Houghton, Alfred Kunz, Richard Hansen and William Janzen.
Since Brian was a lad, he has loved Christmas music. One of his greatest joys was singing for The Waterloo County Carollers during the Christmas season.  Brian had the opportunity to meet and sing with many talented musicians while carolling.  In 1995, he recorded 'Wishing You a Merry Christmas' with soprano Stephanie Kramer, alto Carol Anne Feldstein and baritone Kevin Bradshaw.  Stephanie became Brian’s vocal coach.
Church music has also been present throughout much of Brian’s life.  Alan Whitmore, Lois Couch, Sheryl Loeffler and her partner Douglas Haas provided Brian with many opportunities such as John the Evangelist in Handel’s St. John Passion.  In 2007, Brian was featured in the recording and premiere performance of 'Stand by Me' at Trinity United Church in Kitchener. In 2001, Brian directed the youth musical: 'The Rock Slinger and his Greatest Hit'.
Brian’s main love remains popular music.  Inspired by groups such as The Nylons, Manhattan Transfer and Moxy Fruvous, Brian’s dream has been to sing unaccompanied music in a small group.  Beyond Bliss is fulfilling that dream.  Brian lives with his partner Joan and two of their five children Jennifer, Steve, Jeff, Laura and Bethany in Kitchener Ontario.