EPCHS Alum In The Spotlight: John Moran, Class Of 1975

EVERGREEN PARK, IL - Even before John Moran enrolled at Evergreen Park Community High School as a freshman from Most Holy Redeemer in 1971, he knew music was going to be the centerpiece of his professional life.

More than a half-century later, the 1975 EPCHS alum has come full circle. After decades of performing at venues across the country, Moran now lives in the same southwest Evergreen Park home where he grew up and owns the same local music studio where he took piano and guitar lessons as a kid.

Moran purchased the Horizon Music Studios at 10036 S. Kedzie Ave. in January from Jim Giovanazzi, his mentor who had owned the business since 1964. The new owner plans to keep the studio’s longtime format in place, teaching dozens of lessons every week and working on setting up a stage to hold concerts.

“This is a very long, well-established business,” Moran said. “You could say, ‘right place, right time,’ because Jim didn’t just want to retire and close this place down. He wanted to keep the tradition going.”

Moran said he negotiated a “win-win” deal in which he would take over the rent, utilities and other responsibilities as the new owner of Horizon Music Studios while Giovanazzi, at 87, will stay on as an instructor.

Moran himself gives anywhere from 35-45 lessons a week for guitar and piano students. A team of other experienced music teachers has kept Horizon's ability to help students studying any instrument.

“We’ve got some students from Evergreen Park High School, we’ve got some students from Central (Middle School)” and other area elementary schools, he said, adding that the studio is always looking for more.

“This is the place to take music lessons,” he said. “And where to study with veteran music teachers. Experience does matter.”

Moran’s music experience dates back to even before his EPCHS days. He was a member of the high school band as the Mustangs’ only bass player at the time. Also involved in the EPCHS choir as a tenor, Moran says he’s been “fully indoctrinated” in music.

“I had a rock band (in high school), and we’d play at a lot of the dances,” Moran remembers.

He followed his time at EPCHS by getting music degrees at Moraine Valley Community College and Elmhurst College.

Now, Moran plays as part of a 17-member jazz orchestra that performs every Wednesday night at Quarry Pub and Grill in Lemont. He’s been part of a variety of bands over the years that have played at various venues throughout Chicagoland. As the world continues to gradually re-open amid the coronavirus pandemic, he sees many of those opportunities returning.

“I’ve played with some really great musicians,” he said. “It’s a good life. I’m living the dream.”