“The Heavies’ beautiful arrangements, stunning voices and sympathetic renditions of traditional songs are some of the nicest and truest I’ve heard. Their dedication to the songs they sing is warm and full of reverence and emotion for a style of music that deserves to be considered and celebrated to the fullest. Genuinely one of my favourite groups”.
- Amy Lord, Scots Song and Language Tutor, MD of The Liltin’ Lassies, Scottish Music BA (hons)
- Amy Lord, Scots Song and Language Tutor, MD of The Liltin’ Lassies, Scottish Music BA (hons)
the wee heavies' music is much better than the beer they are named after. . .
The Wee Heavies are a mostly a cappella band started in 2014. They were drawn to the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland because they felt that they could all really relate to the main themes of traditional Celtic music: Drinking, working, fighting, love, and drinking. (Truth be told, their bass is a tee-totaler and has never been drunk in his life, but he makes up for it with the fighting.) The Heavies love nothing more after a long (and typically futile) day of whaling on the Mississippi near their home base of St. Louis, to pick up a frosty glass, reminisce about the days of the Jacobite rebellion, and sing in earth-shaking, heart-rending four-part harmony about the complexities of coal mining.
The Wee Heavies are Aaron Schiltz, whose stratospheric high notes power the Heavies through the roughest of storms; Peter Merideth, who croons so sweetly that he breaks the hearts of sirens and mermaids; Jay Harkey, whose powerful tone emboldens the hearts of his crew mates and strikes fear in his enemies; and Steve Neale whose low notes can rumble the blackest depths of the sea. While based in their home port of St. Louis, MO, the Heavies have sailed to the farthest corners of the Midwest, and have sung at the North Texas Irish Festival, the St. Louis Scottish Games, the Missouri River Irish Festival, and filled venues and halls such as the Hett Theater, the Sheldon Concert Hall, and the Focal Point. They have entertained audiences from the middle of Kansas, all the way to the Isle of Lewis in Scotland.
Wherever they go, their audiences are left laughing, smiling, singing along, raising a glass, shedding a tear and screaming “FAR AWAY” at the top of their lungs. Their mix of rough-and-rowdy working songs, and exceptionally beautiful, soulful ballads, combined with whatever else they might like to sing, and a healthy dose of not taking themselves seriously at all, make an evening with the Heavies a memorable, moving and fun event, full of unexpected moments and astonishingly good music.
The Wee Heavies are Aaron Schiltz, whose stratospheric high notes power the Heavies through the roughest of storms; Peter Merideth, who croons so sweetly that he breaks the hearts of sirens and mermaids; Jay Harkey, whose powerful tone emboldens the hearts of his crew mates and strikes fear in his enemies; and Steve Neale whose low notes can rumble the blackest depths of the sea. While based in their home port of St. Louis, MO, the Heavies have sailed to the farthest corners of the Midwest, and have sung at the North Texas Irish Festival, the St. Louis Scottish Games, the Missouri River Irish Festival, and filled venues and halls such as the Hett Theater, the Sheldon Concert Hall, and the Focal Point. They have entertained audiences from the middle of Kansas, all the way to the Isle of Lewis in Scotland.
Wherever they go, their audiences are left laughing, smiling, singing along, raising a glass, shedding a tear and screaming “FAR AWAY” at the top of their lungs. Their mix of rough-and-rowdy working songs, and exceptionally beautiful, soulful ballads, combined with whatever else they might like to sing, and a healthy dose of not taking themselves seriously at all, make an evening with the Heavies a memorable, moving and fun event, full of unexpected moments and astonishingly good music.
Meet The Wee Heavies
Aaron Schiltz, tenor, hails from Iowa with strong Irish roots. He's been singing his entire life and earned a BM in Voice from Truman State University. He has performed with the Aspen Opera Theater Festival, the Truman Opera Theater and has sung with the St. Louis Chamber Chorus. He has toured internationally as a soloist with choirs to Germany, Austria, Hungary and Scotland. Additionally, he has had lead roles in "Die Fledermaus," "Little Shop of Horrors," and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," among many others. Aaron has also served as a professional cantor at the St. Louis Abbey & St. Anselm Parish in Creve Coeur, MO.
Aaron is the founder and business director of The Wee Heavies, currently sings with the St. Margaret of Scotland Choir and is also an IT director at UT Health - San Antonio.
He lives in St. Louis, MO with his wife, Jen, and two children, Ben and Molly.
Aaron is the founder and business director of The Wee Heavies, currently sings with the St. Margaret of Scotland Choir and is also an IT director at UT Health - San Antonio.
He lives in St. Louis, MO with his wife, Jen, and two children, Ben and Molly.
Peter Merideth, tenor, was born and raised in The Shaw Neighborhood in South St. Louis City. He sang and performed from an early age in numerous choirs, musicals and operas around St. Louis (including 11 summers with the Muny), and even toured annually nationwide as Amahl in the Christmas opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. A St. Louis U. High grad, Peter left St. Louis to study musical theatre in Washington D.C. at the Catholic University of America, but after graduating with a Bachelor's in Music, he returned to St. Louis to study law at Washington University. He is now a licensed attorney practicing solo as GroundUp STL and serving as a Missouri State Representative in his home neighborhood of Shaw, where he lives with his beautiful wife Amy (also an attorney,) their three young daughters, Eliza, Piper, and Finley.
Keeping music as a major part of his life not only with the Heavies, Peter still sings with the St. Margaret of Scotland church choir, and cantors masses, weddings and funerals at numerous other churches in the area. Peter also can be found performing from time to time with the Muny Troupe, with Vocal Edge, and with various theatre companies in the St. Louis area.
Keeping music as a major part of his life not only with the Heavies, Peter still sings with the St. Margaret of Scotland church choir, and cantors masses, weddings and funerals at numerous other churches in the area. Peter also can be found performing from time to time with the Muny Troupe, with Vocal Edge, and with various theatre companies in the St. Louis area.
Jay Harkey, baritone, is a native of Webster Groves, MO. Jay is an SIUE graduate and in 2000 he received a BM in Music Education, as a trumpet major, and in 2005, received an MM, in Conducting under Dr. Michael Mishra.
Jay has been singing professionally since his undergrad days. He currently sings with the St. Louis Chamber Chorus and with the St. Margaret of Scotland Choir. He has sung as a principal singer with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and with the Bach Society of St. Louis and has also appeared as the bass soloist with the Belleville Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra, Masterworks Chorale, McKendree College Concert Choir, and the St. Louis Women’s Chorale. Jay has been a professional cantor at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows and has sung with and served as the assistant conductor of the St. Louis Archdiocesan Choir and as bass section leader with the St. Louis Cathedral Choir. In 2003 he was the bass soloist with the Archdiocesan Choir for the Verdi Requiem. Jay has toured internationally as a soloist with choirs to Italy, Austria, Germany, and Scotland. Jay has a strong backgound in opera as well and has appeared in productions with Union Avenue Opera, SIUE Opera Theater, and Midwest Lyric Opera.
Jay is currently the director of music at Ursuline Academy in St. Louis. He lives in Edwardsville, IL and treasures spending time with his wife, Jen (also a music teacher) and their two young daughters, Gwen and Eliana.
Jay has been singing professionally since his undergrad days. He currently sings with the St. Louis Chamber Chorus and with the St. Margaret of Scotland Choir. He has sung as a principal singer with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and with the Bach Society of St. Louis and has also appeared as the bass soloist with the Belleville Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra, Masterworks Chorale, McKendree College Concert Choir, and the St. Louis Women’s Chorale. Jay has been a professional cantor at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows and has sung with and served as the assistant conductor of the St. Louis Archdiocesan Choir and as bass section leader with the St. Louis Cathedral Choir. In 2003 he was the bass soloist with the Archdiocesan Choir for the Verdi Requiem. Jay has toured internationally as a soloist with choirs to Italy, Austria, Germany, and Scotland. Jay has a strong backgound in opera as well and has appeared in productions with Union Avenue Opera, SIUE Opera Theater, and Midwest Lyric Opera.
Jay is currently the director of music at Ursuline Academy in St. Louis. He lives in Edwardsville, IL and treasures spending time with his wife, Jen (also a music teacher) and their two young daughters, Gwen and Eliana.
Stephen James Neale, bass, is an award-winning composer, pianist, vocalist and conductor. He graduated summa cum laude from the Berklee College of Music with a degree in Film Scoring. While at Berklee, Steve was awarded the BMI award for film scoring.
In addition to being a film composer and jingle writer, Steve has acted as musical director for about a zillion different shows. Most recently, he was music director for the 2013 season at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre. He is also the Choral Director for the St. Margaret of Scotland Choir.
Steve is also one of the most sought-after pianists in the city of St. Louis. He plays live, he plays in the studio, he plays parties, you know, whatever. He also is a singer, having toured the country with the renowned a cappella octet Pieces of 8. He also is sought-after as a vocal coach and piano /guitar teacher. Steve lives in St. Louis City with his young son, Oscar.
In addition to being a film composer and jingle writer, Steve has acted as musical director for about a zillion different shows. Most recently, he was music director for the 2013 season at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre. He is also the Choral Director for the St. Margaret of Scotland Choir.
Steve is also one of the most sought-after pianists in the city of St. Louis. He plays live, he plays in the studio, he plays parties, you know, whatever. He also is a singer, having toured the country with the renowned a cappella octet Pieces of 8. He also is sought-after as a vocal coach and piano /guitar teacher. Steve lives in St. Louis City with his young son, Oscar.