Being Xaverian - Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

ALUMNI TODAY
TONY CAPONE ’84
Stan Spottswood ’81
Physical Education
Strengthens the Body,
Math Strengthens
the Mind, but Music
Strengthens the Soul.
An Academic Motto from
Stan Spottswood ’81
Stan Spottswood ’81 has served as the Director of Choral Activities at Good Counsel since
2005, overseeing the chamber choir, honors chorus, men’s chorus, women’s chorus, and
alumni gospel choir. His twin boys, Stanley Jr. and Stephen, graduated from Good Counsel
in 2010, and his son Simeon is a current junior. It seems as if the Spottswoods are truly a
musical family, both he and his boys studying music in college and all having ambitions for
life-long music careers.
Things weren’t always perfect pitch in regards to Good Counsel’s music outlets for
students. When Stan attended Good Counsel in the late 70’s and early 80’s, there was no
formal music program offered. To keep up his chops, Stan studied music outside of school,
played keyboards in the Good Counsel Jazz band, and played a wedding gig from time
to time in a four-piece rock band with three of his classmates. Stan believes that it was the
combination of love from the Xaverian Brothers and the impact of his basketball coaches
that laid the foundation for the next stage of his life. “Good Counsel taught me how to be
a good student and that allowed me to excel in college,” said Stan.
After graduating high school, Stan went on to study music education at University
of Charleston, West Virginia, on a basketball scholarship. He then attended the
University of Huntington, West Virginia for graduate school where he studied music
education with an emphasis on vocal music.
Today, Stan continues to improve upon the Good Counsel choral program and hopes
to attract more and more students who are looking for a high school education that
focuses on the arts.
This past fall, Stan released a new choral album titled, Hallelujah to the King.
The album originated from the musical relationship between Stan and his music
mentor, a current college professor. The album features musical performances and
arrangements by Stan and includes members of college choirs and professional solo
vocalists from around the country. Stan asserts, “This is the best work that I’ve done.
It’s sacred music that focuses on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.”
Hallelujah to the King is offered for $12 at the GC Bookstore and half of all proceeds
from the album will go to support the Good Counsel Choral program. ✦
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