THE GROSSE POINTE COMMUNITY CHORUS
OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR
KAYVON KASHANI-GHARAVI holds a bachelor's degree in vocal performance from Oakland University where he had the opportunity to be the student conductor of both the Oakland Chorale and University Chorus. He also holds a Master Degree in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College where he held an assistantship for the Symphonic choir, preparing a number of pieces to be performed with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra.
Since graduating from Westminster, Kayvon has become a professor of vocal studies at Madonna University and worked as the artistic director for a number of companies including ENCORE men’s chorus and Stagecrafters. In the coming years he is planning on pursuing a Doctorate in choral studies and hopes to one day conduct at a university level.
OUR ACCOMPANIST
RON PIETRANTONI started out playing classical piano, including studying with Misha Kottler at Wayne State University. In middle school he discovered rock music and as a freshman in high school was introduced to his first synthesizer.
For nearly four decades, Ron has played keyboards in a variety of settings: as a choral accompanist (Don Large Singers; Center Line, Chippewa Valley, and Royal Oak Kimball high school choirs), in pit orchestras (Birmingham Village Players, Grosse Pointe Theater, Nicely Theatre, On Our Own Productions and Stagecrafters, among others), in local club bands (including Cancel Monday, Charuba, DTour Band, Exit Strategy and the Sun Messengers), for wedding ceremonies and receptions, at Joe Louis Arena for the Detroit Red Wings, and even leading an 800-voice Gospel choir in worship for Detroit’s 300th birthday celebration. He was recently music director for Bye Bye Birdie at Riverbank Theatre and Bright Star at Avon Players.
Ron is currently the Music Coordinator at Grace Community Church in Detroit and accompanist for the Grosse Pointe Community Chorus, Encore Men’s Chorus, Senior Men’s Club of Grosse Pointe and Warren Woods-Tower high school. Ron lives in Detroit with his wife, Carol, their dog Buttercup and cat Tiramisu.
OUR HISTORY
The Grosse Pointe Community Chorus (GPCC) was founded in 1953 by Dr. Malcolm Maclean Johns and Marian Johns.
Dr. Johns was a professor of music at Wayne State University from 1947 to 1982. There, he conducted the Choral Union and the Women's Glee Club, and taught theory, ear training and church music. He also served as Organist and Choir Master at Grosse Pointe Memorial, Old Christ Church in Detroit, and Assumption Church in Windsor.
Succeeding music directors include: Donald Simmons (1956-1964), Richard Johns (1965-1986), Evey Simon (1986-1987), Kathryn Rudgers (1987-1988), June C. Schultz-Zydek (1988-1990), Dr. Robert Wolf (1991-1995), Anna Speck (1995-2009), Joseph Palazzolo (2009 to 2022), Ken Hermonat (2023), Grace Fenton (2023), and Kayvon Kashani-Gharavi (2023 to present).
The chorus has been in continuous existence since its founding in 1953. At its first rehearsal on the stage at Parcells Middle School in 1953, 90 people sang. More recently, membership is in the range of 80 singers. Members come from cities throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
