Two Saucon Valley High School alumni will be recognized for their accomplishments when their names are added to the district’s Wall of Fame later this month.
Scott Sheriff, Class of 1985, and Ryan O’Connell, Class of 2007, will be honored at a Nov. 20 ceremony that will be hosted by the Saucon Valley Alumni Association and Saucon Valley School District in the high school auditorium.
Scott Sheriff, SVHS Class of 1985 (Contributed photo)
Sheriff is currently the keyboardist and a background vocalist in country superstar Carrie Underwood’s band. Having grown up in a musically-inclined family, he helped form a group called Black Horizon in junior high school and later was a member of a local band called Drama. After graduating from Saucon–where he studied under and was mentored by choral director Dennis Smith–he attended Boston’s Berklee College of Music. Upon graduation in 1989, he moved to Nashville to begin his career.
According to a biography shared by the Alumni Association, “during that time…he played with the Christian band, Allies, featuring Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas, who would later author a little tune called ‘Butterfly Kisses.’” He later served as Kenny Loggins’ music director and keyboardist before joining Underwood’s band in 2015.
“In 2003, after listening to a lot of Steely Dan, Scott put together a tribute show in Nashville and created a band called Twelve Against Nature,” the release said. “This led to Scott forming a company called ClassicTributeBands.com, which includes two other bands. To top it off, Scott also performs with The Eaglemaniacs, a tribute to Don Henley and the Eagles.”
Ryan O’Connell is currently a music director for live entertainment at Disneyland resort in California. Also having grown up in a musical family, he was extensively involved in musical theater during his years at Saucon Valley High School, receiving an award for student achievement at the 2007 Freddy Awards.
Ryan O’Connell, SVHS Class of 2007 (Contributed photo)
O’Connell graduated from the University of Southern California’s prestigious Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program and has had a successful career writing music for television and streaming networks such as Fox, Netflix, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney, NBC and CBS. Some of his noteworthy credits include CBS’s “Sinatra 100,” NBC’s “Michael Buble’s Christmas in Hollywood” and Randy Rainbow’s Grammy-nominated album “A Little Brains, A Little Talent.”
As an orchestrator and music director, O’Connell has been involved in more than 100 stage productions, and is in demand as a composer, arranger and conductor.
“His music has been heard worldwide in a variety of venues, and (he is) widely known for his choral arrangements for Shawnee Press and Alfred,” the release said. “He has worked with many notable artists, including Bette Midler, (Michael) Bublѐ, Megan Hilty, Jon McLaughlin, Marc Shaiman, Randy Rainbow, Teri Hatcher, Dane Cook, Bebe Neuwirth and Curtis Moore.”
Former classmates, family and friends are invited to attend the Wall of Fame program on Thursday, Nov. 20 at noon, after which Sheriff’s and O’Connell’s names will be revealed on the Wall of Fame plaque in the high school.
Saucon Valley alumni who have been honored by inclusion on the Wall of Fame over the past 10 years include Dr. Carl Manone (Class of 1941), Stanley “Bud” Prosser (Class of 1954), Harry L. Rinker (Class of 1959), Jane Rieger (Class of 1962), Dennis Scholl (Class of 1969), Jane Werner (Class of 1977), Glenn Hetrick (Class of 1990) and Dr. Cristina Gonzalez (Class of 1995). More information about these and other recipients may be found at SauconValleyAlumni.org.
The Saucon Valley Alumni Association is always looking for more member participation. All Saucon Valley graduates are automatically part of the association. To learn more and become involved, visit the SVAA’s website and Facebook page.