Role

:

Conductor Performer

 

Donald Schleicher is a renowned conductor and music educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on August 22, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, Schleicher grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His father was a professional musician, and his mother was a music teacher. Schleicher's early exposure to music and his family's support helped him develop a passion for classical music that would shape his career. Schleicher began his formal music education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1976. He then went on to pursue a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting at the University of Michigan, where he studied under the renowned conductor Gustav Meier. Schleicher's talent and dedication to his craft were evident from the start, and he quickly established himself as a rising star in the world of classical music. After completing his studies, Schleicher began his career as a conductor, working with a number of orchestras and ensembles across the United States. He served as the assistant conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra from 1980 to 1982 and the associate conductor of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra from 1982 to 1984. In 1984, he was appointed the music director of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in Davenport, Iowa, a position he held for 11 years. During his tenure with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, Schleicher helped to elevate the orchestra's profile and establish it as one of the premier orchestras in the Midwest. He also worked to expand the orchestra's repertoire, introducing audiences to a wide range of classical music from different periods and styles. Schleicher's commitment to excellence and his passion for music earned him widespread recognition and praise from audiences and critics alike. In addition to his work with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, Schleicher has also conducted a number of other orchestras and ensembles throughout his career. He has served as a guest conductor for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, among others. He has also conducted orchestras in Europe, Asia, and South America, further cementing his reputation as a world-class conductor. Schleicher's talent and dedication to his craft have earned him numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 1991, he was awarded the prestigious Conductors Guild's Thelma A. Robinson Award, which recognizes outstanding conductors who have made significant contributions to the field of orchestral conducting. He has also been honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. In addition to his work as a conductor, Schleicher is also a respected music educator. He has served on the faculty of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Michigan, and the University of Arizona, where he currently holds the position of director of orchestral activities. He has also conducted masterclasses and workshops for aspiring conductors and musicians around the world, sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of classical music artists.

More....