Director Background

In November 2006, Don Rose accepted the position of director for the Northwest Sound Men's Chorus, yet does not come from a barbershop background.

Don received his undergraduate music education degree from Western Washington University and his masters degree in Music from Pacific Lutheran University, and has taught both band and choir at the elementary through college level since 1986 (1 year of elementary band was enough). Mr. Rose currently teaches in the University Place School District at Curtis High school, where he is in charge of the band program. Don was named both teacher of the year for the Franklin Pierce School District in 2004 and Washington state music teacher of year for 2003 at the Music Educators National Conference in Yakima. Most recently, the Curtis band was named an “All American High School Band” by the Conn-Selmer company, and was excited to win a radio contest sponsored by KIRO news radio.  Mr. Rose is busy as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the Pacific Northwest; he plays trombone and piano in local groups and orchestras.

In our barbershop world, Don is a proud 20+ year member, has sung with both the Tacoma and Puyallup chapters, sang with the 2005 Evergreen District Quartet Champions “Vocal Magic,” is an active coach and arranger for men and women in barbershop, as well as frequent clinician at young men in harmony camps in Washington and Montana. He is proud to help start “Northwest Vocal Project,” a new type of barbershop chorus focused on youth involvement with mentoring from…old guys! Don is excited to be directing the Northwest Sound, and is especially proud to represent our district with our pals, the Salem Senataires, in July at the 2009 barbershop international convention in Anaheim.