The composer judge for tomorrow night’s competition is Jeffrey Quick from the Cleveland Composers Guild. The non-musician judge is Gina Cirino, from the Cleveland Council for World Affairs.

Jeffrey Quick was born in Cass City, Michigan in 1956, and began composing at age 11. He received a BM in music history in 1978 from the University of Michigan, where he studied composition with William Bolcom and Leslie Bassett, and the MM in composition from Cleveland State University in 1991, where he studied with Bain Murray, Rudolph Bubalo and Edwin London. His works are print-published by Hoyt Editions and the American Recorder Society; many of his sacred works are available for free download at cpdl.org, and other works can be purchased for download at newmusicshelf.com. He is assistant music librarian at Case Western Reserve University, and a member of the Cleveland Chamber Singers. He directs the Renaissance wind band Burgundy, performing on shawm, sackbut, recorder and other winds. A resident of Northeast Ohio since 1986, he lives in Windham, in the northeast corner of Portage Co., on 6 acres with his wife Rusty and assorted poultry.

Gina Cirino joined the Cleveland Council on World Affairs staff in Aug. 2008. During her time with the CCWA she worked with National Programming Agencies and the U.S. Dept. of State to develop long-term programs for delegations from all over the world including, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Serbia, Russia, Buryatia, Pakistan, India on topics ranging from Rule of Law and Politics to Foreign Affairs and Media. She has also hosted a variety of youth groups from Serbia, Mexico, Germany, Brazil, and Iraq and developed programs designed to enhance youth appreciation for civic activism, volunteerism and diversity. Prior to becoming involved with the CCWA, Gina pursued a cultural world travel expedition, where she was immersed in local societies, villages and home stays in; South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Gina’s interests include; yoga, art, music, theater, history and science.