Dr. Eric Wachmann is an Associate Professor of Music at Wartburg College where he teaches Clarinet and Music Theory.  He holds a B.Mus from the University of Ottawa and a M.M. from the University of Michigan where he studied with Fred Ormand.  He received his D.M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he studied with clarinetist Kelly Burke. 

A renowned clarinetist, Wachmann has performed extensively with professional orchestral, chamber and jazz ensembles in the United States, Canada and Europe.  He is principal clarinet with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony and plays bass clarinet with the New Hampshire Music Festival Orchestra.  He is also currently guest clarinet with the University of Northern Iowa Northwind Faculty Wind Quintet.  In addition, he has performed with the Cedar Rapids, North Carolina, Greensboro (N.C.), Windsor (Ontario), Toledo (Ohio), Flint (Mich.), and Ottawa (Ontario) Symphonies, and has also performed with jazz ensembles at the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Ozone Jazz Festival, and the North Sea Jazz Festival.  An active soloist, Dr. Wachmann has performed concerts throughout North America and Europe including concerts with pianist Ted Reuter in Belarus.  As a part of their 1995 tour, they were the first North American musicians invited to perform at the historic Sophia Concert Hall in Polastsk, Belarus.

In Addition to his teaching responsibilities at Wartburg College, Dr. Wachmann is a Yamaha Artist and has given master classes and clinics throughout the region.  Wachmann and fellow Wartburg College faculty member Ted Reuter have recently recorded the complete works for clarinet and piano of the French group of composers known as “Les Six.”  Centaur Records released this recording internationally in October 2002 to enthusiastic reviews.  Dr. Wachmann and Dr. Reuter’s most recent recording highlighting the works of Brahms and Schumann will be released in early 2006.

Michael Chesher has performed throughout the United States and Europe, as a soloist, in chamber music and on major symphony orchestra tours, subscription concerts and television recordings.  He earned the Doctorate of Music degree at Indiana University and is an Associate Professor of Music at Luther College in Decorah, IA.

After graduating from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, Dr. Chesher moved to Evanston, Illinois where he earned a Master of Music Degree from Northwestern University as a student of Robert Marcellus.  He remained in the Chicago area for several years and played Principal Clarinet with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and appeared with the same orchestra as a soloist.  He also performed as an extra member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  In this range of activities he played under Georg Solti, Rafael Kubelik and Claudio Abbado, to name a few. While pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Bloomington, Indiana he played second clarinet with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and was called for recording studio sessions around Indianapolis and as an extra with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He also held the Principal Clarinet position with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, and Bass Clarinet with the Evansville Symphony.

Since joining the faculty at Luther College Dr. Chesher has played Principal Clarinet with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra and has recently joined the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony.  He opened the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra’s 2000-2001 season as the soloist on the Mozart, Clarinet Concerto.  His former teachers include Lawrence McDonald, Clark Brody, Larry Combs, and James Campbell.

Myron Mikita, Jr. has been a music educator for 23 years having taught most recently in the Don Bosco Catholic High School district in Gilbertville, IA for 14 years. Along with teaching high school band, he is also responsible for early instrumental music education at Immaculate Conception Grade School, also in Gilbertville, and St Athanasius Grade school in Jesup, IA.  During his career at Don Bosco High School, he has implemented a marching band as well as a vocal program for the students.  Coordinating the Eastern Iowa Clarinet Camp is his latest project.

Mr. Mikita received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL and is pursuing his Master of Music Education degree also from Western.  He studied clarinet with Dr. George Townsend while attending Western and has further studied with other clarinet professionals throughout his career.

Mr. Mikita’s area of expertise is woodwinds and he specialized in the clarinet having played in various bands and chamber groups in the Midwest.  His performances include guest artist in the 1999-2000 and 2003-2004 concert season for the St. Martin Chamber Players in Peoria, Il where he has performed on both the Eb and Bb clarinet.  In 2000 and 2004 he played Principal clarinet in the National Community Band in San Antonio, Texas and Normal, Illinois.  He is also a member of the International Clarinet Association.