Role

:

Conductor  

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

William Moersch is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of percussion. He was born on August 22, 1954, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a professional trumpet player, and his mother was a pianist. Moersch started playing the drums at the age of six and quickly developed a passion for percussion. Moersch attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance. He then went on to study at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he received a Master of Music degree in percussion performance. During his time at Eastman, Moersch studied with renowned percussionists John Beck and Gordon Stout. After completing his studies, Moersch began his professional career as a percussionist. He joined the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as a percussionist in 1978 and remained with the orchestra for ten years. During his time with the Rochester Philharmonic, Moersch also performed with other orchestras, including the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. In 1988, Moersch joined the faculty of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a professor of percussion. He remained at the university for over thirty years, teaching percussion performance and serving as the director of the Percussion Division. Moersch has also been a guest professor at several other universities, including the Eastman School of Music, the University of Michigan, and the University of North Texas. Throughout his career, Moersch has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the world of percussion. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the Percussive Arts Society Lifetime Achievement Award in Education in 2018. Moersch has also been a featured performer at several major music festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival, the Tanglewood Music Festival, and the Ravinia Festival. Moersch is known for his virtuosic performances on a wide range of percussion instruments, including the marimba, vibraphone, and timpani. He has performed as a soloist with many orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. Moersch has also recorded several albums of solo percussion music, including his critically acclaimed album, "The Solo Marimbist." In addition to his work as a performer and educator, Moersch has also been active in the development of new percussion instruments and techniques. He has collaborated with several instrument manufacturers to design and develop new percussion instruments, including the Black Swamp Percussion William Moersch Signature Series Marimba Mallets. Moersch's contributions to the world of percussion have had a significant impact on the field. He has inspired countless young percussionists to pursue careers in music and has helped to elevate the status of percussion as a solo instrument. Moersch's legacy as a performer, educator, and innovator will continue to inspire future generations of percussionists for years to come.

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