Currently
celebrating his 26th season with The Cleveland Orchestra, Stephen Geber is
now the longest-serving principal cellist in the history of the acclaimed
Orchestra. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, he received his bachelor
of music degree and Performer's Certificate in 1965.
Since his appointment as principal cello in 1973, Mr. Geber has frequently appeared as soloist with The Cleveland Orchestra - performing a wide range of concerto repertoire at Severance Hall, Blossom Music Center, and on tour. He also has been a guest soloist with orchestras throughout the United States, including the Boston Pops, Dallas Symphony, Florida Orchestra, and others. In addition, he has collaborated in chamber music performances with other leading artists - including Julius Baker, Rudolf Firkusny, Grant Johannesen, Yo-Yo Ma, and Lorin Maazel - and is featured in recordings on London Records.
Mr. Geber's reputation as an outstanding performer is paralleled by his reputation as one of the leading cello teachers in the country. His students hold positions in nearly all major orchestras in the United States, including The Cleveland Orchestra, whose membership includes four of his former pupils. He currently heads the cello departments of the Cleveland Institute of Music and Kent/Blossom Music, and is a faculty member for the Encore School for Strings, the National Orchestral Institute at the University of Maryland, and the New World Symphony in Miami, Florida. He has taught master classes throughout North America, Europe, and Eastern Asia. In 1994, Mr. Geber taught and performed in the Georg Solti Orchestral Project at Carnegie Hall. The following year, at Mr. Solti's invitation, he headed the cello section comprising musicians from all over the world in a special concert in Geneva to honor the 50th anniversary of the United Nations.
For his outstanding contributions to music as an orchestral player, chamber musician, solo performer, and educator, the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester is proud to honor Stephen Geber with its Alumni Achievement Award.
Rochester,
New York
October
6, 1998