Paul Chiacchierini began his music career at the age of 16, playing in bands and solo in clubs. His main instrument is the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor and baritone) but has studied piano and other keyboard instruments. After graduating from Seneca Valley High School (Germantown, MD), he earned an Associates of Arts for Music from Montgomery College (Rockville, MD) and a Bachelors of Science for Music from Towson State University (Towson, MD). While in college Paul taught saxophone both independently and for Music & Arts Center (Rockville, MD). He adjudicated Maryland State band auditions, and has performed for the Maryland State Band Director’s Association at the Annual Music Educator’s Conference (Ocean City, MD).

             Upon graduating from college, Paul worked as a performer in 3 bands (The Emerald City, Mood Indigo, and Lifesupport) and for a music retail store Jordan Kitts Music (College Park, MD), while continuing to teach saxophone. At this time, he had his first experience in a recording studio and recording his own music. As a member of the band The Emerald City he co-wrote the song “The Theme of the Emerald City” with Kevin Hawkins and Walter Pappas. It was entered in the instrumental music category of the 1988 Billboard Song Contest receiving an Honorable Mention award.

             In 1994 Paul turned his attentions to recording, completing The Omega School of Applied Recording Arts & Sciences Certificate Program in Recording Engineering and Studio Techniques and Music Business. After graduating, Paul worked as an intern at Omega under Dave Bell and John Westley Gardner for six months until landing a position at Central Studios (Bladensburg, MD). There he worked on projects for Chucky Thompson, Development Producer for Bad Boy Records.

             In 1996 Paul was hired by Omega Recording working on projects for Humility Records, the Kelly Bell Band, RCA, Belwin, Warner Brothers, Disney’s American Teacher Awards, the Jimi Hendrix Foundation and teaching for the Omega School. At Omega Paul started working with Sal Chandon and, in 1997, when Sal was promoted to General Manager; Paul worked under his direction as Studio Manager. Sal and Paul left Omega in 1998 to form Racetrack Music Group, an independent recording company.

             Racetrack Music Group still exists today as Racetrack Sound Studios (a Subsidiary of R.P. Chiacchierini & Associates, LLC). Paul resides as the Chief Recording Engineer at Racetrack where he has worked with greats such as Dennis Chambers, and Joey and “Papa” John DeFrancesco. In 2005, as recording engineer on Paul Lewis’ release “Trading Horror Stories” (Realize Records), he was nominated for his first Grammy Award in six categories including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. He has since been nominated for an additional time in 2007 as recording and mix engineer on Chris Bruni’s “Watch Me Burn” release in five categories.

             Paul is a member of the Audio Engineering Society [i], The Recording Academy [ii], and works closely with audio designer John Oram. He has endorsement arrangements with Oram Professional Audio, Trident Audio Designs, and B.L.U.E. Microphones.