Joseph R. Gessler
- Composer
Joseph Gessler is a composer and music educator with a unique perspective. Born and raised in the rock and contemporary worship music traditions, Mr. Gessler began studying classical music at the age of 28. He has since earned a B.M. in music composition and education from Nyack College and is currently pursuing his M.M. in composition at Houghton College. Mr. Gessler is a gifted teacher who likes to explore ways in which music can be organically woven into community and education.
Mr. Gessler's compositional voice tends toward choir and small instrumental ensembles, with a harmonic scheme ranging from Romantic to experimental. His passion is to infuse the contemporary worship style with classical tools and disciplines, and to disciple musicians in both musical and spiritual development.
As a baritone Mr. Gessler has performed the roles of Colline in Puccini's "La Bohème" and Danilo in Franz Lehar's "The Merry Widow" with Nyack's Opera Workshop, as well as singing chorus roles in several operas. In 2013 he performed a solo voice recital including works by Gounod, Schubert, Faure, Mussorgsky, Mendelssohn and Ives (General William Booth Enters Heaven).
Mr. Gessler also enjoys comfort food, red wine, soccer, gardening and photography.
May 2, 2015