THEY'VE GOT MUSIC IN THEIR BLOOD
North Scottsdale teens sing their way through college

By Emily Soccorsy

North Scottsdale residents Scott and Todd MacIntyre blend into a college crowd hanging out in the hallway of the Scottsdale Community College Music Building.

That would not be so unusual, except these brothers - who were born in California and lived in Toronto, Canada before moving to Arizona two years ago - are quite a bit younger than the average college freshman.

Scott is 16 while Todd is 13 years old.

Both students are members of SCC's A Cappella Choir, led by director Paula Baack. In addition, Todd is taking college classes at SCC, while Scott is enrolled in the ASU Bachelor of Music Piano Performance program and the University Honors College.

Obviously, their age has little to with their ability to act on their educational passions and to fit in with their SCC peers.

Scott admits to harboring a lifelong passion for music.

Scott remembers as a child his parents would put him to bed turning on cassettes of classical music for him to listen to.

But Scott said the listening turned into creeping out of bed to figure out the melodies on the piano. He began playing piano by ear at the age of 3.

Scott began classical piano lessons at the age of 5.

Scott has played with the Phoenix Symphony and has produced and released three full-length classical music CDs.

Most recently, Scott has begun a foray into composing popular music. Scott's ultimate goal is to write and perform popular music. Scott and Todd have also performed on a Canadian national television station and at various black tie events.

Todd began taking piano lessons at age 6 and voice lessons at age 8. He was recently a member of the Phoenix Boys Choir. "I've really loved music and performing," Todd said.

Ms. Baack first encountered the brothers during a church service at Scottsdale Bible Church. Scott was playing and singing a piano piece he had composed, while Todd was singing along. "I was so impressed with these young men," Ms. Baack said. "Their talent, stage presence and genuineness were incredible."

Ms. Baack and the entire congregation were stunned when Scott stood to leave the piano and picked up the cane that helps the severely visually impaired student walk. "To see that this young man had overcome being visually impaired and had just sung an original work from his heart and soul was truly inspirational to all that day," Ms. Baack recalled.

That inspiration turned to delight when both Scott and Todd came to join her choir this past summer.

Despite the age difference between the majority of Ms. Baack's students and the MacIntyre brothers, the music director reported the youth hold their own quite well. "On one concert, my other tenors were absent and Todd held down the entire tenor part all on his own," Ms. Baack said. "My students love him and their admiration for both young men is pretty equal."

Early success has come to these siblings, because of the support of the MacIntyre parents, Ms. Baack believes.

Todd and Scott, who have been home schooled along with their 10-year-old sister, concur. "Our whole family is very close," Todd said. "We know each other very well and we love to be together. We have been blessed with many talents and it also comes from hard work."

Scott, agrees, adding he believes their musical prowess comes from being exposed to and learning to appreciate music as children. "I definitely have a passion that has been given to me," Scott said. "Doing something you love makes it easier. I'm definitely inspired and intrigued when I hear a new piece of music."

The MacIntyre brothers both plan on keeping music in their lives.

Scott will continue his studies at ASU and hopes to continue writing and recording popular music. Todd, on the other hand, is looking at a career as a lawyer or doctor.
"Whatever I do I just want to contribute to society," Todd said.

To Ms. Baack both students have already contributed greatly to the society of the
a cappella choir. "I can honestly say that the success our choir has experienced this semester is greatly due in part to these two young men," she said. "I believe God brought these two young men into our lives here at SCC so we could nurture them, learn from them and then let them go on to become the adults God has intended them to become."

To learn more about Scott MacIntyre's music and to order a CD, visit www.scottmacintyre.com.

Photo by Emily Soccorsy/Independent Newspapers Scott Macintyre, 16, at left, tickles the ivories while his younger brother, Todd, 13, looks on. Todd and Scott both attend college classes, Scott at ASU and Todd at SCC. They also sing in the SCC choir.