Craig Ewing, tenor, is a three-time Far Western District quartet champion and the musical director of the Fullerton Chapter Orange Empire Chorus .

He received his Bachelor of Music degree from California State University, Long Beach with a concentration in choral/vocal music. While there he served as a student conductor of the CSULB University Choir and the Men's Chorus. Craig is a vocal specialist in Cambiata (the changing male voice). In 1984 he was a tenor section leader for the Olympic Honor Choir at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Craig also has 20 years of experience as a sound reinforcement engineer and recording producer, including the annual production of the CHAMPS series for the Association of Far Western District Champions (AFWDC).

It's appropriate that he do that work for the AFWDC since he's been in FWD champion quartets three times. In 1988 he was with Musician's Choice which was also a three-time international competitor; and in 1993 he won with Rhythm & Rhyme , a six-time international semi-finalist. He is now in the 2005 champs Hi-Fidelity . Craig has more honors in Barbershopping than you can shake a stick - er, a baton at. He has been a Barbershopper for 30 years and was one of the first honorees to receive the Bachelor of Harmony award from the Barbershop Society.

In addition to the Orange Empire Chorus , Craig directed the Long Beach International City Chorus, a SoCal West Division Champion, and also directed the San Gabriel Valley Harmony Statesmen following the merger of the Alhambra and San Gabriel Chapters. He has taken on other duties for the Society, including being a committee member for youth outreach and the high school quartet contests, and is a sought-after clinician at music schools and youth harmony camps in the FWD, RMD and SWD. Craig is also a Standing Ovation Program (SOP) reviewer - helping quartets and choruses to improve their stage productions.

There's even more. He has produced and directed numerous annual chapter shows. He is a composer - arranger with his music performed by quartets and choruses at the district and international level.

When Craig isn't barbershopping he has other music activities going. He has appeared in a number of major works, including the title role in Menotti's opera "Amahl And The Night Visitors" and performed Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana". Has been a tenor soloist with the Long Beach Symphony, was a studio musician for A & M Studios, and soloed and conducted for numerous churches.

What does he do in his spare time ? He works. For over 20 years Craig has been a security manager and is now the Director of Training and Compliance for Pacwest Security Services (pretty busy in the aftermath of 9-11).

Craig and his very patient and supportive wife, Marie, have four daughters, Terry, Annette, Carma, and Renee; and seven grandchildren, Danielle, Rayma, Paul, Michael, Sam, Jessica, and Julia.

Excerpted from the Fullerton Chapter "Barbershop Clippin's"