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FourWayStreet Bio

Biography

released their seminal album: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," in the United
States. Becoming a Beatles fanatic at a young age had inspired Philip to learn to play the
guitar by age 13.

At age 14, Philip began playing bass guitar and co-founded the local Baltimore band
known as, "Prophecy." Soon after their
founding, Philip's older brother, Scott,
joined Prophecy as lead singer. Over the
next 7 years, with Philip as bassist/vocalist,
Prophecy performed professionally in
Maryland, as well as in Fayetteville and

Jacksonville, North Carolina, and St. Croix, in
the Virgin Islands. Prophecy became quite
well-known in the Baltimore area, even
singing the National Anthem two times at
Orioles baseball games, and once at a
Washington Bullets game between 1986
and 1987. (Below: Orioles game at Memorial
Stadium. Above & Right: Philip in Prophecy.)

After graduating from
Pikesville Senior High School
in 1985, Philip went on to
study music at the University
of Maryland, Baltimore
County. Graduating Magna
Cum from UMBC in 1989
with a B.A. in Music
Composition, Philip was
urged by his composition professor to continue his
studies in the renowned music department of
the University of California, San Diego. By the
Fall of 1989, Philip had moved to San Diego
and begun to pursue a graduate degree at
UCSD. In 1992, Philip earned an M.A. in Music
Composition from UCSD and then continued on
to complete all of the course work for a Doctorate
degree in Theoretical Studies In Voice at UCSD,
by 1995.

Just prior to completing the final stages of the PhD process however, Philip was offered an employment opportunity by former Prophecy lead guitarist, Steven Stern, now working Los Angeles as a TV/film composer. Very much needing a break from 24 continuous years of schooling, Philip gladly accepted the position working with his old friend.
From 1995 through 1999, Philip worked with Steven in LA, developing musical themes; composing; co-producing; editing; orchestrating; and arranging music in three feature films: Bloody Murder, Indiscreet, and The Beneficiary, as well as in two Showtime sci-fi series': The Outer Limits and Poltergeist: The Legacy.
All throughout Philip's years at UCSD and while in Los Angeles, he continued performing live music in the San Diego area. In 1990, during his first year at UCSD, Philip had been introduced to local San Diego vocalists/guitarists: James (J.G.) Gossett and Paul Hayward, who were then performing as an acoustic/electric duo. After regularly sitting-in with them as a guest performer, Philip was asked to permanently join them as bassist/guitarist/vocalist. The new trio called themselves, “The Self Righteous Brothers,” and they performed throughout the mid-1990's, until Paul moved to San Francisco.
In 1992, Self Righteous Brother, J.G., met vocalist/musician John Toomey and introduced him to Philip. Philip, J.G. and John immediately discovered that the blending of their three voices was magical! Stellar vocal harmonies quickly became the new trio’s trademark, and they chose the name, “Four Way Street.” Strongly inspired by Crosby, Stills and Nash; The Eagles; and The Beatles, “Four Way Street,” began rehearsing for performances.
Philip still performs with Four Way Street, and has also been regularly performing solo, in duos, in trios, as well as in some other local San Diego ensembles, including Ron’s Garage, since the late 1990’s. During Philip's solo performances, he sings and alternates between playing acoustic/electric guitar and keyboards. In duos, trios, and full bands, Philip sings and often plays bass guitar, as well as acoustic/electric guitar and keyboards.
During the summer of 2000, Philip was hired as the Vocal Director at Francis Parker School. At first, Mr. Lean's primary responsibilities were teaching the Middle School Chorus (grades 6-8), and the Upper School Vocal Ensemble (9-12). Upon his arrival however, some enthusiastic Upper School students asked Mr. Lean to help them form an A Cappella vocal ensemble and to direct it. He happily accepted and the club has been performing ever since. The students named their group "Acappella Anonymous," and just prior to the graduation of their first founding members, Mr. Lean began recording Acappella Anonymous and the Upper School Vocal Ensemble. The students titled their excellent CD, "Got Harmony? "
During the 2004-5 school year, Mr. Lean submitted "Got Harmony?" to the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards and it became one of the 4 finalists in the Best High School Album category. Mr. Lean's arrangement of "Drive My Car" was also selected to be one of the 4 finalists in the Best Arrangement category.
Several of Mr. Lean's Vocal Ensemble and Acappella Anonymous students have gone on to become successful members of some very competitive A Cappella ensembles in colleges such as, Yale, Stanford, USC, Tufts, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, North Western, the University of Michigan, and St. Lawrence University.
During the 2001/2002 school year, Mr. Lean was the Musical Director for Francis Parker's theatrical production of, "Oliver!" During the 2002/2003 school year, he was the Vocal Director of the Parker children's choir (middle school students) in Francis Parker's theatrical production of, "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." During the 2003/2004 school year, Mr. Lean began directing the newly formed Middle School A Cappella club. Then, at the start of the 2004/2005 school year, he became the director of the Upper School Contemporary Guitar Ensemble, as well.
Mr. Lean creates many of the arrangements performed by each of his ensembles: Middle School Chorus, Upper School Vocal Ensemble, Acappella Anonymous, the Middle School A Cappella club, and the Contemporary Guitar Ensemble. From time to time, he even completely composes pieces for them to perform. Photos and audio clips are posted on www.MrLean.com.
During the Spring of 2008, Philip Lean and fellow Parker teachers, Michael Gonzales and Claudio Martin, along with drummer Gary Taylor, formed a rock band called “Gonzology.” Gonzology performs challenging rock songs by: Led Zeppelin; RUSH; Yes; The Police; and Deep Purple; as well as many other outstanding classic rock hits. Their performance schedule is always posted on the Schedule page of this website.

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