GBN show displays Davidson’s variety of talents

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Chad Davidson is a Glenbrook North High School choir director and also directs the Men of Glenbrook North, a volunteer adult men's choral group. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 11, 2012 8:09AM

The Glenbrook North High School Variety show opens Thursday — and Chad Davidson, choir director and instructional supervisor for Fine Arts — is ready.

“The theme of this year’s Variety Show is ‘Crossroads’ — the acts are supposed to relate to that theme,” said Davidson.

“The two weeks before the show opens are pretty intense,” said Davidson, who directs the men’s volunteer choir, Men of GBN.

“Since the show is made up of many different groups, it is always fun to see how everything comes together in the end.”

Of the Men of GBN: “We get together once a week to learn music that we sing in concerts at GBN and in the Northbrook community.

“As the director of the group, my job is to choose music.”

“This group is really one of the highlights of my week,” said Davidson.

The Men of GBN are performing “I Walk the Line,” “Walking in Memphis,” “Walk Like An Egyptian” and “Walking on Sunshine.”

“Our act has a lot of energy, fun choreography, and an awesome rock band backing us up,” said Davidson.

“They have such great attitudes and positive personalities and that makes rehearsing with them so much fun — they show that music can be a life-long activity.

“Some of the guys have absolutely no previous musical experience, and it is great they are willing to go outside of their comfort zone.”

Davidson once stopped singing.

“When I was in fourth grade,” said Davidson, “my music teacher told me that, ‘Some folks sing, and other folks listen. Chad, you are a listener.’

“Well, I believed her and didn’t sing for a while after that.

“In eighth grade, I got involved with the Chicago Children’s Choir and haven’t stopped singing since.

“I sing tenor in my church choir and obviously sing all the time here at GBN.”

Davidson, who studied vocal performance at Northwestern University, segued to the University of North Carolina (Greensboro), earning his music education bachelor’s degree.

He earned his master’s degree from The Ohio State University in Columbus.

“Over the years, literally thousands of young people have participated in our choral programs,” said Davidson.

“I often hear from students who graduated many years ago who still remember a certain song that they sang.

“These are the kinds of memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.”

Last October, Davidson ran the Chicago Marathon for the Children’s Memorial Hospital Marathon Team.

“In 2004, my son was admitted to Children’s with congestive heart failure,” said Davidson, whose son Jack just turned eight.

His wife Laurie, works in development for Northwestern University.

“Although no cause was identified, the brilliant doctors and nurses literally saved his life,” said a grateful Davidson.

“Since then, my wife and I have done what we can to support Children’s.

“As a member of the marathon team, I was able to raise more than $6,000 for this awesome organization.

“I’ll be running again this year for Children’s, so if anyone wants to sponsor me, just Google “Chad Davidson marathon” and my fund-raising page will pop up!”

Davidson, also a Half Ironman triathlete, volunteers “with an organization called the Night Ministry that provides meals and social services to the needy on the north side of Chicago.”

“Each month, I head downtown and am part of a team that serves about 200 meals to homeless teens, young families, and adults.

“It really is gratifying to get out and do something rather than just sit back and write a check,” he said.

“It really helps keep things in perspective.”

The GBN community reinforces Davidson.

“GBN really is a family —we support each other —we care about each other,” said Davidson.

“One of the things that I love about Northbrook is the small-town feel.

“People are so supportive of their friends and neighbors.

One way to support neighbors is by attending Glenbrook programs.

“My favorite concert of the year is definitely our Techny Festival of Music, held each March at the Divine Word Chapel,” said Davidson.

“The GBN choirs combine with choirs from GBS and are accompanied by our orchestra.

“Each year, I am blown away by the talents of our student performers.

And the upcoming musical?

“One highlight of the year is the Glenbrook Musical, which we share with GBS,” said Davidson.

“This year, GBN is hosting and we are doing ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ I’ll be the music director for the show and am so excited to get started.

“If you haven’t seen a Glenbrook Musical recently, you have to come and see this show!” he said.

Save the date for the April 30-May 2 for “The Phantom of the Opera.”

The 2012 GBN Variety Show “Crossroads” runs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Visit www.seatyourself.biz/gbn or buy door tickets. Visit www.glenbrook225.org/north.