Since the inception of Burton Academic High School in September 1984, Maestro Gregory Cole has served as the vocal and instrumental instructor. He is also the illustrious Founder and Director of the internationally acclaimed Touch of Class Choir. Mr. Cole’s extensive musical experience allows him to offer unlimited direction and innovation to vocal and instrumental groups. He is an advocate of all kinds of music, i.e., religious, secular, jazz and R&B songs. As a musician, he emphasizes that it is important to be versatile and adept to different, positive music environments.

Education

UC Berkeley, California – California Certificate in Bilimgual Education California State University Hayward , Lifetime California Credential in Music Education and post graduate studies
Grambling State University, BA in Music & Liberal Arts

Teaching Experience

 Claremont Middle School (1973-1977) – Instrumental Instructor. Founding Director of Oakland’s First Middle School Drum Corps and First Middle School Gospel Choir, known as the Claremont Drum Corps and the Youth Disciples Gospel Choir, respectively

 Castlemont High School (1977-1984) – Band Director. The Castlemont Jazz Band performed for the Cultural Development Commission throughout the island of Jamaica; won Silver and Bronze Medals at the Performing Arts Abroad Festivals in Honolulu, New Orleans and Vancouver; received 1st and 2nd place awards at the International Jazz Festival in Reno, Nevada; received ranking as the 4th Band in the U.S. and the Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Service from the Mayoralty of New Orleans. The late Mayor Lionel Wilson also issued a proclamation proclaiming June 5, 1983 as Castlemont Jazz Band Day.

 Burton Academic High School (1984-2016) – Band and Vocal Instructor. Upon arriving at Burton, founded the Touch Of Class Choir, which quickly gained local, national and international notoriety. TOCC is vibrant, energetic, innovative and well disciplined. Their repertoire includes all kinds of music. Under Mr. Cole’s direction, TOCC traveled to the following cities and countries:

o Invited by the Lord High Mayor as the Official U.S. Delegates in the Mardi Gras Festival in Nice, France, where they were voted as the best performing group.

o Invited by the Government of Dublin, Ireland to be the first, non-Catholic, non-Irish group featured on a float in the St. Patricks Day Parade.

o Performed and toured New York and Washington, D.C., invited by Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi to sing at the Capitol and Lincoln Memorial.

o Performed and toured Jamaica – Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.

o Toured Madrid, Granada, Toledo and Malaga, Spain, performed in Seville, where TOCC represented the United States at the World Expo. Because of their professionalism and quality music, TOCC was chosen to represent the U.S. on a live radio broadcast station that was transmitted to London, England.

o Performed at Disney World in Orlando and performed on their first seven day Carnival Caribbean Cruise.

o Performed and toured in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia. TOCC was the first U.S. choral group to sing at the reknown Sydney Opera House.

o Performed at many historical sites surrounding Bahia, Salvador where they mesmerized the Brazilians with their melodious music and choreography.

o Invited to perform by the Jamaican Arts Commission at the International Jazz Festival in Ocho Rios for two consecutive years.

o Mayor Willie Brown extended a speical invitation to TOCC to perform in Shanghai, China, San Francisco’s Sister City. Mayor Brown asked TOCC to perform because of their versatility and exciting performances. They were also the first choir to sing in Shanghai’s newly built Opera House.

o Toured historical sites in Paris, France and Rome and Florence, Italy.
o Cruised the Caribbean Islands several times (St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St.

Croix, Nassau and Key West).
o Performed for several San Francisco Mayoral Inaugurations, Memorial

Service for the late Congresswoman Sala Burton, KGO’s Sunday On Seven program, KPIX’s People Are Talking Christmas program, Sports Image Awards Program honoring Muhammad Ali, President Billl Clinton, Governor Gray Davis, Pre-

Game Show for San Francisco Giants, Chevron Corporation, and other

numerous local engagements.
o Toured Cancun, Mexico for two consecutive years.
o Toured Carribbean Islands on Royal Carribbean Cruise Lines. o Toured and performed in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Mr. Cole’s instructional philosphy is to teach students about life, motivate them to excel to their highest academic potential, and encourage them to focus on pursuing a college education and successful career. Many of his students highly regard him as a father figure, which results in an indelible impression on their lives.

Church Experience

 Third Baptist Church, San Francisco – Minister of Music – 2011-2018 – Re- launched Children’s and Youth Choir, coordinated music with Temple Emanu-El for the Annual MLK Celebration, Music Director for Annual Christmas and Easter Concerts featuring special Bay Area artists and orchestras, coordinated Annual Music Workshops featuring Dr. Jim Abbington and Dr. Jim Davis as Clinicians, and re-launched Mens’ Chorus.

•   St. Paul of the Shipwrecked, Minister of Music – 2009-2011.
•   Beebe Memorial Cathedral, CME Church (2005-2009) – Music Director. Psalms of Praise (Mass Chor), increased from 8 to 60 voices per Sunday. (The enhancement of this music ministry significantly increased Beebe’s overall church membership.) This choir’s repertoire included anthems, spirituals, traditional and contemporary gospel songs. To enhance the Power Worship Services, the Music Ministry staff was reorganized to include 3 keyboardists/organists, 2 drummers, guitarist, and bassist; Selah (Praise and Worship Ministry), Kingdom Kids (Children’s Choir) and Anointed (Youth Choir). Assisted in the coordination of two concerts: Smokie Norful and the Finale Concert of Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers Assisted the Pastor and Trustees in the installation of the final phase of the new, state-of-the-art sound system. Consistently recruited and encouraged persons to become a part of the Music Ministry family. Possesses the unique ability to inspire and motivate people of all ages to work together, and to be on one accord.
•   Downs Memorial United Methodist Church (2004-2005) – Minister of Music. Downs’ Music Ministry has been reorganized to include Umoja Mass Choir, Shabach Choir, Imani Choir, Tru 2 God Youth Choir, Acts of Praise and Rejoice Praise Dancers, Exaltations Praise and Worship Team, Count It All Joy Women’s Chorus and Brother 2 Brother Mens’ Chorus.
•   Missionary Temple CME Church, San Francisco (1991-2003) – Minister of Music. During this time, the Voices of the Temple Mass Choir, Missionary Chorus, and Mens’ Chorus were organized. All choirs grew numerically and spiritually under his administration. He also increased the music staff to enhance the effectiveness of the overall music ministry. By-laws were written for all choirs and The Voices of the Temple were blessed with new robes. Mr. Cole also assisted the Temple in selecting a new state-of-the-art sound system and trained several members as Sound Engineers.
•   Beebe Memorial Cathedral, CME Church, Oakland (1972-1990) – Minister of Music. During his tenure, all choirs grew numerically and spiritually, and became more experienced at singing all kinds of music – anthems, spirituals, traditional and contemporary gospels. The following choirs were launched and organized: Mass Choir, Richard O. Bass Ensemble, Cathedral Choir, Missionary Chorus, Voices of Beebe and John B. Hason’s Mens’ Chorus. A devotional and Bible Study period was also initiated to prepare the choirs to worship God in spirit and in song. The Voices of Beebe, a concert choir, presented annual concerts, which filled Beebe to maximum capacity (1600+ people). They performed in the 1982 Methodist Festival in England, Luxembourg, France and Germany. In 1984, the Voices were featured at the Mardi Gras Festival in Nice, France, and were voted as the Festival’s Most Artistic Performing Group. Additionally, they recorded two musical demos for Return of the Jedi, a Lucas Film Production at Fantasy

Recording Studios in Berkeley. Mr. Cole had the opportunity to work with John Williams, Oscar and Academy Award winning composer, and retired Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Other Endeavors

•   Played 1st Chair Trumpet in special orchestra with Isaac Hayes, R&B Artist
•   Member of the internationally acclaimed Grambling Marching Band
•   Featured in the Oakland Tribune’s Entertainment Section
•   Recipient of the award as one of the Top Musicians in the Bay Area from the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), Golden Gate Chapter
•   Former member of Richmond’s Fine Arts Commission
•   Voted as the Best Director, 1984 Mardi Gras Festival in Nice, France
•   Honored by the City and County of San Francisco as a maestro for outstanding contribution in preserving gospel music, and for invaluable work and dedication to the community
•   Recipient of the 2008 Martin Luther King, Jr. SPIRIT Award by The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, San Francisco
•   Recipient of 34th and 36th Annual Bay Area Gospel Academy Awards
•   San Francisco Teacher of the Year
•   Man of the Year, Third Baptist Church
•   Received Lifetime Achievement Award (with his wife, Karen) from the Bay Area Gospel Academy for their oustanding choral leadership to all ages, modeling personal and professional excellence and creating unforgettable experiences that touched innumerable hearts Father of two sons, two grandsons Married to Karen for almost 46 years