First Take is an a cappella quartet specializing in modern barbershop harmony arrangements. The quartet was awarded third place bronze medals at the 2023 Barbershop Harmony Society International Quartet Competition and is comprised of experienced performers, coaches, and teachers. First Take formed for the purpose of entertaining worldwide audiences and strengthening the community ties of those who love vocal harmony.
The members of First Take include Alex Corson (Tenor), Anthony Colosimo (Lead), Drew Wheaton (Baritone), and Andrew Havens (Bass). Each had prior success in barbershop quartet competition before singing with First Take, including top ten finishes by Alex with ‘Studio 4’ (2018) and by Anthony and Andrew with ‘Da Capo’ (2016). Drew is an international barbershop quartet champion, winning gold with ‘Forefront’ (2016). First Take is also proud to have included singer-songwriter Christian Douglas in its first iteration, who has gone on to find success as an actor on Broadway.
Outside of First Take, Anthony and Drew are active coaches and private vocal instructors. Both have successfully completed the certification process to become official judges for the Barbershop Harmony Society. Drew is also a sound engineer, producing learning tracks and professional recordings for Choral Tracks, Drew Wheaton Music, and other artists at his studio in Louisville, Kentucky. Alex is a licensed attorney in the state of New Jersey and practices law as an insurance recovery lawyer with a national law firm. Andrew is a software engineer employed by a firm specializing in cyber security and digital forensics.
First Take aims to promote harmony by building and maintaining a strong community of musicians who love singing together. With strong ties to the Barbershop Harmony Society and larger a cappella singing community, First Take is committed to the idea that the artform of vocal harmony is strengthened by involving as many people as possible. By prioritizing performance opportunities that will allow the quartet to connect with those who share a love of harmony, First Take hopes to foster the curation of spaces where people can socialize and enjoy singing together.
Alex lives in Morristown, NJ with his wonderful wife, Deidra. Alex has been performing from a young age and began singing barbershop in 2014. Alex has a bachelor in music from Westminster Choir College and earned his J.D. at Seton Hall University School of Law. Highlights from Alex’s career in theater include playing Tony in West Side Story, Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance, and Ernesto in Don Pasquale. Alex now sues insurance companies for a living. Alex’s favorite song in First Take’s repertoire is every song with a loud tag, because he is enthusiastic.
Anthony lives in Leesburg, VA with his delightful wife Elizabeth, and their three children, Ruth, Christopher, and James. Anthony has been singing barbershop since age eight and has degrees in vocal performance and choral music education from Christopher Newport University, where he also met Andrew. Anthony travels the world coaching barbershop and other ensembles and was previously a music educator for ten years. Anthony’s favorite song in First Take’s repertoire is all of them, because he is amiable.
Born in Montreal, QC, Canada, Drew now lives in Louisville, KY with his lovely wife, Kris, and their three children, Xander, Nate, and Vera. Drew has been a barbershop vocalist since 1995 and has music degrees from McGill University and the University of Louisville. He is also a choral and barbershop learning track producer, ensemble coach, and sound engineer for both recorded and live sound. He is also the Artistic and Musical Director of Great River Voices, an SATB a cappella chorus in Louisville. Drew has no favorite song in First Take’s repertoire, because he is indecisive.
Andrew lives in Waterford, VA with his royal wife, Heather, and their six children, Riley, Peyton, Logan, Lucy, Willow, and Skylar. Andrew has been singing barbershop since college and has degrees in computer science and computer engineering from Christopher Newport University, where he also met Anthony. Andrew solves complex computer security issues at work and enjoys spending time with his family, which could form two whole quartets without inviting any friends. Andrew’s favorite song in First Take’s repertoire is every comedic song, because he is hilarious.