Hal Maples

Hal was raised hearing classical music, church and folk music, and quickly developed a love and an ear for musical harmony. He sang a solo of "Away in a Manger" before 200 people at Westminster Presbyterian Church in St. Louis at age four - scared to death, of course. He was raised by a British/Australian mother who was an accomplished classical pianist, and a father from the Ozarks who played guitar and sang, and who could sing from memory any song you could name that played on the radio during the 1920's '30's and 40's, and many you never heard of.  Hal began teaching himself guitar chords on his Dad's 1928 Gibson Concert guitar at about age 12, and loved to listen and play and sing along with recordings of groups like The Kingston Trio and others who sang harmony. Hal has played guitar and sung with several musical groups, and has sung both bass and lead in quartets, including the Men of A Chord, and the Federal Reserve Notes, Illinois District Quartet Champions. Hal is a multimedia and web developer and AOH webmaster, and also writes a cappella arrangments. stardust/dreamriter.com/arrangements. He also served for five years as AOH PR Vice President.

"My goal is to be the best singer I can be, and to help others do the same."