About payday!
Our Backstory
Welcome to the official backstory of the PayDay Acapella Quartet, where decades of friendship, world-class harmony, and musical passion come together. Formed in 2000, our journey began when we teamed up to deliver localized Singing Valentines as proud members of the Princeton Garden Statesmen Barbershop Chorus. What started as a seasonal tradition blossomed into a lifelong musical brotherhood, fueled by over 140 combined years of dedicated acapella singing experience.
From our roots in Central New Jersey to unforgettable international stages, our four-part harmony has resonated during a sacred mass at the Vatican in Rome, in the historic streets of Florence and Venice, and across the scenic Caribbean. We have even shared our voices at Milan’s world-renowned opera house, La Scala—well, at least right in front of it!
Our journey reached an exciting competitive peak in 2026, when we proudly took the stage at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Mid-Atlantic division quartet contest and were crowned the Senior Quartet Champions. Dive into the individual histories of our members—Jim Danner, Pete Manfredo, Joe Ciccione, and Mark Van Bruggen—and discover the passion, laughs, and milestones that keep us singing in perfect harmony.
Jim Danner, Tenor
Jim began singing in choirs in high school and performing in school plays. His first experience with a quartet was in 1976, in the Hopewell Valley (NJ) High School production of “The Music Man.” His quartet continued to perform at schools and churches. In college, he minored in theater and participated in various summer musicals. In 1985, Jim joined the Garden Statesmen Acapella Chorus and has since been part of many quartets.
Joe Ciccione, Bass
Born and raised in Brooklyn (NY), Joe began singing in the choir in grammar school and later in the Boys Chorus in high school. Joe had the most fun harmonizing in the school yards however where, as he puts it, “the amazing echoes even made us sound good”. Appropriately enough Joe’s closet fondness of “Barbershop Harmony” was finally made public when he heard a CD of a PGS performance while at his “Barbershop”. The rest, as they say, is history. Rumors of Joe’s participation in the witness protection program have been somewhat exaggerated.
Pete Manfredo, Lead
Pete began singing starting in 6th grade, in school and regional choruses. As a freshman at Pompton Lakes High School (NJ), Pete got the barbershop bug when he was cast as the lead member of the barbershop quartet in the school production of “The Music Man.” His 19-year hiatus from performing was over in 1993, when he stumbled into a church basement to find the Garden Statesmen Acapella Chorus rehearsing, and never left. Pete also currently serves as the chorus and quartet webmaster.
Mark Van Bruggen, Baritone
In 9th grade, Mark began singing Barbershop Harmony at Fisher Junior High in Ewing, NJ. Then, in high school, he briefly joined the Garden Statesmen chorus. While at the University of Delaware Mark sang chorale and doo-wop. After college in 1988, Mark rejoined the Garden Statesmen. Since then, he has served as the chorus President, performed and competed in numerous quartets, and now serves as the Musical Director.
Garden Statesmen Men's Acapella Chorus
Pete, Joe, Mark and Jim of PAYDAY! are also members of the Garden Statesmen Barbershop Chorus. The “Garden Statesmen” are always looking for men who love to sing. Contact PGS at www.gardenstatemen.org if you’d like to join in the fun every Tuesday evening in Plainsboro, NJ
Barbershop Harmony Society
A TRULY AMERICAN ARTFORM, BARBERSHOP HARMONY IS MUSIC. Founded in 1938 as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. (SPEBSQSA), the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) preserves and extends the reach of a uniquely American close harmony musical art form whose roots lie in African-American improvisation and European harmony traditions. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, since 2007, this non-profit organization provides active programs and resources in music education, publishing, performance, and community outreach. Learn more at www.barbershop.org!
Testimonials
