Ensemble: Victor Pluznick - Tenor
Victor Pluznick has always been mechanically and musically inclined -- wearing two hats for most of his life. The mechanical engineering career put bread on the table and the musical activities prevented him from turning into a wrench.
Born into a Russian family with a distinct musical heritage, he remembers as a child going to church for mandolin practice so that he could play in the Russian Church Orchestra, complete with other stringed instruments including balalaikas. He studied violin for 8 years until he discovered the guitar and began studying jazz guitar techniques. Serving in the U.S. Army, he was assigned to Special Services where he was the director of the 25th Infantry Soldiers Chorus stationed in Hawaii (how tuff was that?).
After being awarded a music scholarship in college, he continued studying towards a Sacred Music Masters Degree at Union Theological Seminary. He then served as Minister of Music at a Methodist church for 9 years in Stamford, Connecticut. Over the years he's directed several choirs in Southern California, sang with the Pacific Chorale and participated in their European Concert Tour.
He then discovered the Meistersingers and began attending their concerts for 3 years with the opinion that it was among the finest intimate choral groups he'd ever heard. He claims it very fortunate that an opening occurred and he was asked to fill the coveted position. He views it an honor and gift to be part of such an expressively creative, challenging and artistic organization.