Music Director Michael Gesme

Michael Gesme is a Professor of Music at Central Oregon Community College and Chair of the Department of Fine Arts and Communication. In this wonderfully diverse position, Michael, in addition to his duties with the Central Oregon Symphony, conducts the Cascade Winds Symphonic Band and has taught various and sundry music courses, including music theory, ear training, music history, and conducting, as part of a small, but flourishing music department. In addition to his duties at COCC, Michael serves as conductor of the Central Oregon Chamber Orchestra and is the music director and conductor of orchestras of the Young Musicians and Artists (YMA) summer camp held in Salem, Oregon. He is also an active clinician and adjudicator in the region.

Michael has served as music director of the Linfield Chamber Orchestra and the Missouri Chamber Orchestra and has appeared as a guest conductor with several ensembles including the Sunriver Music Festival Orchestra, Salem Chamber Orchestra, and Wenatchee Valley Symphony. He received his bachelor’s degree from Luther College (Decorah, IA) and his master’s degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Feel free to email Michael at mgesme@cocc.edu.