Sheet music

I’ve known since I was this tall that music would be a major part of my life,” declared Michael Gesme, as he held his hand three feet from the floor.

Gesme’s father took notice as every Sunday his son sat near the organ loft watching as the organist in their Lutheran church played the hymns.

“Maybe he’s interested in music,” his father observed.

Little did Gary Gesme know his son would grow up to be the accomplished, greatly-loved conductor of the Central Oregon Symphony and the Central Oregon Symphonic Band. Nor did he imagine his son would become professor of Music at Central Oregon Community College and chair of the Department of Fine Arts and Communications.

Gesme’s young interest in music blossomed in the small town of Geneseo, nestled in the corn fields of western Illinois, where his dad worked for John Deere.

“It was a unique place and I was lucky to be there. … Music was important to the town, and our schools had first-rate music programs,” Gesme recalled.

He received an outstanding general music education, beginning piano lessons at 7, singing in both church and school choirs and ensembles all the way through high school, taking up the trumpet in fifth grade and playing in school and community bands, and playing in the church bell choir until graduating from high school.

Living in a town that valued music of all kinds, and surrounded by friends who shared his passion for music, Gesme was literally musically marinating in a town of 5,000 that boasted a professional-level marching band and a sign at the entrance to town that declared Geneseo was the home of the six-time state music champs.

“We had a band shell in the town park where there were concerts in the summer,” Gesme said. “Even if it rained, people would come and sit in their cars to hear the music. That band shell was the first thing rebuilt if a tornado went through town.”

After high school it was off to Luther College, a small liberal arts school in Decorah, Iowa, with a great music program. Gesme’s course was certain. He would study to become a choral director. One fortuitous class his freshman year changed that plan when he was introduced to orchestral conducting by his teacher and mentor, Douglas Diamond.

“What else can I do to prepare myself to conduct?” Gesme asked at the end of that class.

“You need to get scores for ensembles I direct and come to rehearsal and watch,” instructed Diamond.

Five minutes into the first rehearsal, Gesme’s future was set.

“That’s what I want to do,” he decided right then and there.

Moving Forward

From that point forward, the same ambition, stamina, energy and enthusiasm that endears Gesme to his current orchestra members, fueled an exceptional college career in which his love of conducting helped blaze the trail for new programs at Luther College.

“In my junior and senior recitals, I was expected to perform musically. But I only wanted to conduct,” he explained.

Diamond went to bat for Gesme, got special permission for him to form his own chamber orchestra, and for his recitals he was allowed to conduct.

“After I left, the chamber orchestra became part of the music program, run by faculty,” he said.

He earned a Masters of Music in orchestral conducting at the University of Missouri at Columbia. It was there he met his future wife, Janet, who was a viola major. Their life of making music together began there and has continued to this day, now including their son Alex, a high school senior at Summit who plays the oboe, and his daughter Zeta, a junior at Summit and a cellist.

“When the kids were young, they always came to practice with us,” he said.

Bass trombonist Erik Hoagland remembers Gesme bringing baby Alex to practice and holding him up for everyone to see.

“Now we are all at rehearsals together,” Gesme said proudly.

Gayle Hoagland, clarinetist and personnel manager of the symphony for 10 years, confirmed Gesme’s pride as a father.

“That was a proud moment for Michael — when his kids began playing in the orchestra,” she shared.

Orchestra as Family

The qualities and talent encouraged in his early life have served Gesme well in his professional and personal life.

“Michael treats every single person in the orchestra like family,” said Hoagland. “He shows them respect and affection. He even worries about everyone’s health. He has touched so many lives through being himself — his humor, his humanity, his respect for everyone.”

As a member of the symphony, long-time teaching colleague Clyde Thompson witnessed first-hand Gesme’s ability to maintain the orchestra at a high level.

“He has a combination of great talent, extraordinary stamina for hard work, and a drive to be useful,” said Thompson, who directs the Central Oregon Mastersingers.

“At the core of his values, I think, is the idea of devoting one’s life to service,” continued Thompson. “The fact that he has chosen to devote his career to a community college in a small city in Central Oregon speaks volumes. With his talent and energy, he could have gone anywhere he wanted to in pursuit of fame, but he’s not interested in fame.”

Gesme’s reason for coming all the way West after college was simple.

“I came here because I didn’t have to ‘publish or perish.’ They want good teachers. I get to do what I love to do as well as I can.”

Gesme’s Goal

Gesme’s almost 20 years in Bend have provided opportunities and challenges.

“In a big university you generally teach one thing. Here I teach everything at some point in time,” he said. He explained that besides conducting and managing several different orchestras and ensembles, he is also teaching college classes in music theory, ear training, music history and appreciation, and a class on conducting. As of two years ago, he accepted the position as chair of his department and he has two years left to serve.

“Something I had stealthily avoided for 17 years,” he confessed.

Gesme’s life would exhaust a less energetic man, but his dedication knows no bounds.

“For me professionally, it’s a place I’ve been able to grow with. … This place allows me to conduct an orchestra of cultivated amateurs and professionals. I don’t have to recruit musicians. People stay for years,” he explained.

Gesme’s goal is to bring music to everyone. Under his direction, the symphony has become an orchestra of almost 100 musicians. Their growing audiences have outgrown facilities and required the addition of a third performance on Monday evenings, with each series attracting 2,000 patrons.

“With the opening of the Madras Performing Arts Center we hope to increase the musical community outreach that the symphony does,” he added.

Watching Gesme conduct the orchestra is like watching an interpretive dance. The grace of his hands and arms comes through into the music. His facial expressions signal the orchestra exactly what he is asking for. His animation is infectious and the orchestra responds accordingly. When he is encouraging the bass instruments, his lips pucker out, his brow knits, and his arms make sweeping movements, while he blows out his cheeks.

“To see Michael run a rehearsal you see why the musicians respond the way they do,” explained Erik Hoagland. “He has a great ability to work with what he’s got and make it better. He has the patience to get you to do what he wants.”

His parents get to see that original musical spark that has become a full-blown flame. They have attended most of his performances during the past 19 years, finally purchasing a townhome in Central Oregon for extended visits around the time of each concert.

“And the concerts are a great excuse to see the grandkids,” Gesme said with a laugh.