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New Hampshire Gay Men's Chorus |
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Board Member Bio: Paul Cioto, baritone and secretary
"Though I've always loved to sing, I was too timid to join until 2009," says Paul. "At first I was quite shy and quiet, not knowing any of the guys. But now, having experienced several seasons with NHGMC, I realize joining the group was one of the best decisions of my life. The guys and the camaraderie are wonderful ― I've made many new friends ― and it's incredibly rewarding to perform beautiful music for thousands of people all over New Hampshire. As a non-board member I happily did a lot of ‘behind-the-scenes' work for the chorus, but now I very much look forward to making more contributions as a member of the Board." Paul is a professional writer. During the past ten years, he has worked as a technical writer, technical publications manager, and now a requirements writer for a North Andover, Massachusetts, company that makes building climate-control and security-control products. His original background is news writing, with a Journalism degree from Northeastern University. During the 1970s, he hit the streets of Boston as a full-time student news reporter for the Boston Globe, covering the tumultuous desegregation of the Boston public schools, as well as other important news and stories of special interest around metropolitan Boston. In addition to partying on the Northeastern campus ― unbeknownst to him, probably not far from where Keith Nelson and Glen Flowers partied back in the day when the drinking age was only 18… Oh, dear Lord! ― he also landed other good student co-op jobs, including one as a full-time news reporter for the Brockton Enterprise (Paul the Painter's hometown). "Writing's not only what I do, but also a major part of who I am. Since I was a small child, I've loved writing, though back then I doubt I was very good at it. Any toy that produced words ― a small printing press, a punch machine for stick-on labels, toy typewriters, whatever, I had to have. I've been lucky to have many mentors help me along the way to become a good writer ― most notably my high school English teacher, Mrs. Stahl, and various editors on my newspaper jobs. Back then, in school and in my newspaper work, I used manual typewriters to write articles and papers on deadline ― and with carbon paper! It all seemed normal back then. But yikes, now I can't imagine writing without word processing, editing and rewriting instantaneously. " Early in his professional news career, Paul strayed into the world of technical publications, writing technical documentation for software and hardware products. "Back in the 80s I knew zilch about computers, so I took several programming courses and did okay. I've always made it a point to understand, technically, what I'm writing about, but I do enjoy the writing and communication part of the work more than the technical aspects. I could never be, like, a programmer or IT technician because I'd be bored to tears." Having grown up in the New Hampshire lakes region, Paul spends much of his time at his home on Lake Winnipesaukee, boating, swimming, hiking, and of course entertaining other chorus members who seem to like to belt out tunes down by the water late at night, to serenade the other (indigenous) loons as well as Paul's neighbors on the lake. What happens at the lake stays at the lake? (Just ask for the "good" pictures!) Paul's love of singing began in high school glee club. "At Medfield High, we were very fortunate to have someone who was probably the best music teacher ever, the legendary Mr. Hersee. He inspired us to love singing. He made it fun and fulfilling, and he put on those incredible productions for the school and community." Medfield lost its beloved "music man" in March, 2011, when Mr. Hersee passed away.
Musically, Paul's tastes are eclectic ― classic big band, swing, classic ‘oldies' rock, and 70s Disco… which, he discovered when he threw his famous Disco-in-December party, many other chorus members (including our esteemed artistic director) love to dance to! Luc in platform shoes ― priceless! Over the past decade, Paul has occasionally done volunteer DJ work at New Hampshire nursing homes, playing big-band tunes to cheer up patients, who hail mostly from the Greatest Generation, World War II era. His program was called Sentimental Journey. He and some of his chorus buddies may also try to organize a volunteer small ensemble to sing at nursing homes, shelters, and assisted living centers. Paul is known to regularly patronize karaoke establishments. He never met a microphone he didn't like. He also organizes "karaoke nights" for some of the other shy "karaoke virgin" chorus boys, who have never experienced the joys of lounge singing. Of course, once they lose their "virginity," they keep coming back for more. Hello Scotty? Glen? Cal? Says Paul: "I'm going to organize more karaoke nights and go through the entire chorus, if I have to, until they all lose their virginity." That is, everyone except Tim Dullea. "Timmy's been around the karaoke rodeo for ages. He couldn't even tell you when he lost his virginity." Just before our Spring 2011 Gleefully Delicious concerts, Paul coordinated a successful "meet and greet" night at HOBO's Café and Lounge, Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts. Chorus boys told HOBO's patrons about our fun rehearsals and concerts, what it's like to perform for live audiences, and so on. With legendary HOBO's DJ Chuck there, individual chorus singers also serenaded customers with a few tunes. HOBO's is one of NHGMC's biggest supporters. The Board will likely unleash Paul to organize similar events. Paul's favorite movie is On Golden Pond, which was filmed up at his beloved lakes region. Old Bette Davis, Hepburn, and Hitchcock films, along with slapstick comedies, such as Airplane! and Mel Brooks films, also top his list. His favorite musical is Mary Poppins. He knows how to spell supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Other interests include meditation, spirituality and metaphysics, writing, travel, science fiction, Star Wars and Star Trek, writing, being on the water anywhere, writing, current events, photography, and writing. His favorite TV shows include Mad Men, That '70s Show, and Family Guy. He is taking a stab at his first novel, based on his own experiences as a teen "on golden pond," but says it's difficult to find time to devote to it. He likes most all types of food, but has a special fondness for seafood and Greek dishes. His favorite color is deep crimson red, the color of his gorgeous Chevy HHR, which, as everybody knows, is the best vehicle in the entire Seacoast carpool fleet.
One thing you've probably already figured out about Pauly D: He writes the biographies and news items for our web site! He also writes most of the material in our concert programs. "I happily donate my writing skills to NHGMC." But who wrote his bio? Sorry, that's classified information! On the infamous Seacoast carpool: "Paul (the Painter) Mazgelis is absolutely right about the intimacy of the carpool. Arctic explorers used to bundle to stay warm in those sub-zero blizzards ― hell, Bette Davis bundled with Paul Henreid in Now, Voyager. So too with us in the back seat of David Greer's car when his car heater doesn't put out on cold nights! You can actually see all that hot breath on your neck!" What happens in the carpool stays in the carpool? Pauly D is another member of the half-century club... so amazing with that full, thick (and touchable) head of hair. Sure, go ahead and pull his hair... it's real! Officially, at least, he is another NHGMC eligible bachelor. But who knows. That may change because Pauly D reports that he's been dating someone very nice this summer. Stay tuned. The main theme that has governed Pauly D's life: Enjoy the journey. "You're never too old to experience the many special people, places, and things this Earthly existence has to offer. When we ‘chase after some finer day,' we often miss out on the journey in the now. So stay right here, cause these are the good old days." |
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Baritone and Secretary on the Board of Directors, Paul Cioto, whom the Seacoast carpool boys nicknamed "Pauly D" of Jersey Shore fame, joined NHGMC in September, 2009. He grew up in Medfield, Massachusetts, and Moultonborough, New Hampshire, and he currently resides in Stratham, New Hampshire. He is also known as "Paul the Writer," which helps differentiate him from his fellow baritone and carpool member, "
As a child, Paul claims his Italian-American family "forced" him to play an accordion ― AKA squeezebox. How utterly un-groovy is that in the 60s and 70s! "For better or worse, back then our culture considered the accordion a silly instrument. It had a stigma. The kids associated it with curmudgeons like Lawrence Welk playing polka tunes…'and-a one, and-a two…' As much as I yearned to play in my high school bands, I knew that if I had, I would have been teased by a lot by my peers." Paul hasn't played any musical instrument since he rebelled and ditched the squeezebox circa 1971. Though he didn't play in the band, he was editor of his high school newspaper, taking care of his first love, writing. He was also a reporter and an editor for his college paper, the Northeastern News.
His favorite chorus moment: Belting out the Star Spangled Banner on a beautiful night in June, 2010, in front of 5,000 baseball fans at the .jpg)
