2011 Performers

Dr. Andrea Cheeseman is Associate Professor of Clarinet at Appalachian State University. An active and engaging performer, she has received invitations to perform at colleges and universities throughout the country as a soloist and chamber musician. She has performed for diverse festivals such as the Electroacoustic Juke Joint Festival, College Music Society Annual Meetings, the Montana/Idaho Clarinet Festival, the National Flute Association Convention and the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium. In the summer of 2003, Dr. Cheeseman was named First Runner-Up in the Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition.

Prior to her appointment at ASU, Dr. Cheeseman was on the faculties of Delta State University, Alma College and Hillsdale College. Dr. Cheeseman earned the Doctorate of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in clarinet performance from Michigan State University and the Bachelor of Music degrees in clarinet performance and music education from Ithaca College. Her principal teachers have included Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr and Michael Galván.

When not teaching or performing, Dr. Cheeseman spends her time studying musicians’ occupational health, swimming and practicing ashtanga yoga.

Scot Fitzsimmons, principal bassist for the Lexington Symphony, is an active chamber musician and soloist who has appeared with the Chameleon arts ensemble, Xanthos, the Firebird Ensemble and as a member of the Ah La Boom Bass Quartet. He recently premiered Mark Snyderʼs Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra. Scot began his career recording for Virgin and Capitol records and touring the US, Europe and Australia. In 1999 he was accepted as one of only two students to complete continuing studies privately with Gary Karr in Victoria, British Columbia. Since returning to Boston in 2001, Scot has appeared as Principal Bass for the New England String Ensemble, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Cantata Singers and the Lexington Symphony. He has also appeared with Boston Ballet, Opera Boston, Rhode Island Philharmonic and Emmanuel Music. Scot continues to perform music of all styles, he was a founding member of the Devil’s Workshop Big Band, the Aaron Binder Quartet and maintains a collaborative relationship with Paul Miller aka DJ Spooky.

As a featured composer and performer in numerous major conferences and festivals like ICMC, Spark, FEMF, BEAF, EMM, and others, Eric Honour has developed an international reputation as a musical artist. A member of the Athens Saxophone Quartet, he performs regularly in Europe and the United States, and has presented lectures and masterclasses at many leading institutions, including the Conservatorio di Perugia, Hogeschool Conservatorium Gent, Northwestern University, and the University of Oklahoma.

Honour’s new album, "Phantasm," will be released on Ravello Records in Fall 2011. Honour’s music has been described as “fast, frenetic, and fiendishly difficult” and performed around the world by such notable artists as Quintet Attacca, Q-02, Quintet of the Americas, Winston Choi, the Thelema Trio, and Quartetto Musicattuale. His work as a composer has been recognized in many competitions, published by Roncorp, and recorded on the Capstone and Innova labels. Professor of music and director of the Center for Music Technology at the University of Central Missouri, his work as an audio engineer and producer appears on the Everview, North Star Appli, Innova, Irina, Nea Aghialos, and Independence labels, among others.

Michael Morley was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Under the guidance of Ken Lipscomb and Mrs. Ruth Kochenauer, Mr. Morley began studying oboe at Chancellor High School. Michael made his way through district, regional, and state auditions culminating in his acceptance into the Governor’s School for the Performing Arts. The program solidified his desire to remain in music for life. He was accepted into the University of Mary Washington Philharmonic under the direction of Dr. Baker in 1992.

Upon the arrival of Dr. Kevin Bartram to the UMW community in 2003, Mr. Morley became the orchestra’s librarian. In 2004 he was appointed Orchestra Manager. Working closely with Dr. Bartram and Friends of the Philharmonic, Mr. Morley has been involved with many of the orchestra’s outreach programs, Fiddlestix events and instrument petting zoos. He performs various compositions with Mr. Bill McCoy, organist, at the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church and has provided service to the Fredericksburg Singers. He has performed the “Messiah” and Brahms’ Ein Duectsch Requiem under the direction of Jeanine Richardson at St. Paul Episcopal Church in King George. In 2005 Mr. Morley was invited to perform W.A. Mozart's "Oboe Concerto in C major K. 314" with the UMW Philharmonic at the Inaugural Concert in October 2005 as well as in Europe during the orchestra’s first European tour. His most recent work with the orchestra includes performances of the second movement of Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, BWV 1060; Mozart Concertone for Two Violins; and the Prokofiev Quintet, Op. 39.

Mr. Morley currently serves as orchestra manager and principal oboe for the University of Mary Washington-Philharmonic and in April 2004, was appointed Office Manager of the Department of Music.