Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra

Taught vocal and instrumental music and ESL in Arlington before retiring in 2006. Graduate, University of Miami, on full symphony scholarship; played with Miami Symphony until relocating to Washington area. Play clarinet with Kings Park Concert and German Bands, Four Seasons "55 in Overdrive" in Dumfries, and with the Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra, where I amd a board member.

violins rule...violas drool!

(I am on viewer's far left in the picture above).  Received  Bachelor of Music w/Distinc- 

tion, Eastman School of Music, 1969.  Student of William Street and John H. Beck.    Graduate studies with Michael Bookspan of the Philadelphia Orchestra through The Catholic University of America.  Member, The U.S. Army Field Band, Ft. Meade, MD, 1969-74.  Member, The U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own) at Washington, D.C., 1974-2002.  Principal Percussionist of Pershing's Own, 1994-2002.  During military career performed for 6 U.S. Presidents and in 49 states and 16 foreign countries; also appeared as timpanist with The U.S. Army Orchestra, solo clinician, marimba soloist with The Concert Band, field drummer with The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets at The White House and Special Drummer at Arlington National Cemetery.

 Currently performs professionally  with The Fifes & Drums of Prince Wm. III, The Cathedral of St. Thomas More Brass (Arlington) and March Militaire (Annandale); also ad hoc with the Lynchburg, Chesapeake, Prince William, Richmond, Annapolis and Roanoke Symphony Orchestras.

Adjunct Percussion Instructor for NOVACC (Woodbridge) and VA Commonwealth University in Richmond; also teaches privately in home studio.  Member of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education; American Federation of Musicians; National Association of College Wind & Percussion Instructors; Percussive Arts Society;

Music Educators National Conference and the Vic Firth Education Team.  Named an "Outstanding Educator" by The VA Governor's School for the Visual & Performing Arts (2003).  Received The Legion of Merit from the President of The United States for "His outstanding record of musical performance and leadership..." in 2002.

Married to Janice (Andersen) Messerschmidt, RDH.  Children are William F. Messerschmidt, Chelsea, ALA.; Ann K. Lee, Alexandria, VA; Dorothy R. Carroll, St. Louis, MO; and Edward D. Messerschmidt, Poughkeepsie, NY.  Grandchildren are Laura, Caitlin and Erich. 

OBCO's Music Director and dedicated ambassador to the world.