Fifth grader Alex Munson packs a lot of music into his life.
He sings, and plays trumpet, violin and piano.
He has sung his way to Chicago, where in March he will be in a National
Children’s Honor Choir, joining 300 other youngsters performing at the
American Choral Director’s Association. Only one other Ohio singer will
participate.
Alex’s first ensemble singing came when he was 5. His family was living
in Sweden where his father Dr. Mark Munson, director of choral studies
at Bowling Green State University, had traveled as part of a faculty
exchange program. Alex joined other local children signing for a
Christmas season service at the local church in the town where they
lived.
Back home in Bowling Green, he joined the Treble Makers, a children’s
choir at First United Methodist Church. His reason for joining was
simple: “Some of my friends were in the choir and I wanted to be with my
friends.”
Over time his musical activities have expanded. Most recently he has
started playing trumpet in his school band at the Montessori School of
Bowling Green. He also studies Suzuki method violin with Tim Zeithamel
at BGSU and piano with his father.
Even with school and all this music, Alex has time for other pursuits
including karate — he just earned his orange belt — and learning about
geography as well as bike riding and swimming.
Asked his favorite instrument, Alex’s preference was clear: piano.
Mark Munson said he has a laid back system for instruction. “I leave him alone until he needs some help.”

His preference for piano may also have to do with being able to play some piano pieces by his favorite
composer Mozart.
Mark Munson said his son also enjoys attending rehearsals for the
University Chorale’s recent performances of Handel’s “Messiah.”
All this musical activity benefits from Alex being gifted with perfect
pitch. That means he can name a note just by hearing it, or sing any
note given.
Mark Munson said that was evident when he made the audition CD for the national honors choir.
He simply announced he was singing “My Country Tis of Thee” in E, and sang it without needing to be given
a pitch.
The same occurred when he sang his required scale.
This will be the second honors chorus Alex has participated in within a
year. This summer he attended the Ohio Choral Director’s Association as
part of that honors choir, an experience he enjoyed.
His father, as well as his mother, Paula, and younger sister, Sarah, will be going to Chicago as well.

There Alex will work with conductor Henry Leck of Indianapolis whom Mark
Munson described as: “One of the nation’s children’s chorus gurus.”
Alex is looking forward to the trip.
“Hopefully I’ll make new friends.”