Back in 2001, 1/4 of a Staples High School music octet was named Justin.
Justin Miller — a senior — went on to a storied career as a music director. He led the Westminster Chorus of Los Angeles to the 2009 “Choir of the World” Pavarotti Trophy, and Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus gold medals in 2007, ’10 and ’15.
A few days ago he did it again. Westminster recaptured the world title, in Salt Lake City.
Miller’s chorus did it decisively, setting a new record for the highest score ever: 97.9%.
But there’s more to the story.
The 100-man chorus paired the tender ballad “I’ll Be Here” from Broadway’s “The Wild Party” with “From Now On.”
That’s the tune from “The Greatest Showman,” written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
The same Justin Paul who, as a junior in 2001, sang in that famed octet with Justin Miller.
The director is proud of his friend’s work. He wanted to showcase it on his choir’s biggest stage.
So now — in addition to Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards — Justin Paul can say he’s “won” a Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus gold medal too.
(For the full story on the competition, click here.)
Thank you for sharing this.
I wept in the audience after watching greatest showman and seeing dear Evan Hansen because I am so happy that music is being written now that reminds me of all the great music writing teams I enjoyed as a child.
I listen to Pasek and Paul’s music all the time. And it is fun to remember that I sang in the good news gospel choir with Justin and his mom way back when….. keep the music coming Ben and Justin! You are creating a soundtrack for my life!
To say that Pasek and Paul and Miller are great seems inadequate. Legendary, perhaps…
Just plain awesomely wonderful.