Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

October 27, 1948 in Peekskill, NY

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Fred Sherry is a renowned cellist and chamber musician who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on June 6, 1949, in New York City, Sherry grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Sherry started playing the cello at the age of six and showed exceptional talent from an early age. Sherry received his formal education at the Juilliard School, where he studied with Leonard Rose. He later continued his studies with Harvey Shapiro at the Aspen Music Festival and with Bernard Greenhouse at the Marlboro Music Festival. Sherry's talent and dedication to his craft were evident from the start, and he quickly established himself as a rising star in the classical music world. In 1971, Sherry joined the New York String Quartet, which was founded by his father. The quartet was known for its innovative approach to classical music and its commitment to contemporary composers. Sherry's time with the quartet was a formative experience that helped shape his approach to music. Throughout his career, Sherry has been a champion of contemporary music. He has premiered works by some of the most important composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Elliott Carter, Mario Davidovsky, and Charles Wuorinen. Sherry's commitment to contemporary music has earned him numerous accolades, including the Avery Fisher Prize in 2000. In addition to his work as a soloist and chamber musician, Sherry has also been a sought-after teacher and mentor. He has taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Tanglewood Music Center. Sherry's students have gone on to have successful careers in music, and many of them credit him with helping them develop their own unique voices as musicians. One of the highlights of Sherry's career was his performance of Bach's six suites for unaccompanied cello at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1987. The performance was a marathon event that lasted over six hours and was attended by a standing-room-only crowd. Sherry's interpretation of the suites was praised for its technical mastery and emotional depth. Sherry has also been a frequent collaborator with some of the most important musicians of his generation. He has performed with the likes of Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, and Emanuel Ax, among others. Sherry's collaborations with these musicians have resulted in some of the most memorable performances of classical music in recent memory. In addition to his work as a performer and teacher, Sherry has also been an advocate for the arts. He has served on the boards of numerous arts organizations, including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the American Composers Orchestra. Sherry's commitment to the arts has helped ensure that future generations of musicians and music lovers will have access to the same opportunities that he had. Throughout his career, Sherry has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In addition to the Avery Fisher Prize, he has been awarded the Ditson Conductor's Award, the Chamber Music America Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Harvard Arts Medal, among others. Sherry's legacy as a musician and advocate for the arts is secure, and his influence on the world of classical music will be felt for generations to come.

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