About Fratelli

Our Story

From the very beginning, Fratelli has been committed to musicianship, friendship, and service. Founded in 2008 as the Men of Spirito, Fratelli singers come from all musical backgrounds - from lifelong choral singers to those who have never sung with others before.

Through weekly rehearsals and concerts throughout the year, Fratelli singers strengthen their voices, make excellent music with an ensemble of dedicated guys, and give back to the community through service and social events. Fratelli sings in a wide range of styles and languages, and the singers appreciate the fun and challenge of learning new music in a welcoming setting.

Fratelli: brotherhood, growth, and joy… through music

Sing with Fratelli

Our Team

Fratelli’s artistic staff has years of experience working with musicians of all ages and ability levels. Click on their photos to learn more.

Artistic Director
A native of Little Silver, New Jersey, Doug has been a fixture in the Chicagoland choral and concert community since his arrival in 2011. He is thrilled to serve as the Artistic Director of Fratelli after serving as their bass section leader for seven years, and has also conducted several of the singers at First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst, where he is Director of Music.
Doug has performed locally as a soloist with the St. Charles Singers, Elmhurst Choral Union, and the Chicago Symphony Chorus. Doug also performs yearly with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Lyric Opera of Chicago chorus, and the Grant Park Symphony Chorus. He has performed as a Young Artist with a number of opera companies across the country, including Sarasota Opera, Utah Festival Opera, and Baltimore Opera. Doug holds bachelors degrees in both music education and vocal performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, a division of Johns Hopkins University.

Collaborative Pianist
Crystal Forbes received her undergraduate degrees from DePaul University in Piano Performance and Music Education, and returned to DePaul to complete her graduate degree in Music Education. Since her early teens, she has been in frequent demand as a collaborative pianist in numerous church and performance settings for vocal and instrumental ensembles ranging in number from soloists to hundreds.
On the faculty at Franklin Middle School in Wheaton since 1986, Crystal has coordinated their Interrelated Arts Department since 1988, and teaches Interrelated Arts in addition to directing five choral ensembles. For over two decades, Crystal has also enjoyed teaching private lessons to hundreds of piano students.
Active as chaplain for the Martha Ibbetson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Crystal lives in Elmhurst with her husband and is the proud mother of two musician daughters.