Wechsler tapped to be education director of InterSchool Orchestras

April 6, 2018 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Dr. David Wechsler has years of experience teaching music and performing in orchestras for Broadway shows. Photo courtesy of InterSchool Orchestras of New York

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One of the city’s most well-known music programs for students has a new educational leader. The InterSchool Orchestras of New York (ISO) has tapped Dr. David Wechsler, Brooklyn resident, to be its new director of education, ISO officials announced.

ISO Executive Director Karen Geer described Wechsler as a great addition to the artistic staff. “He will bring great insight and support to the conductors, teaching artists, students and parents and help take ISO to new and exciting heights,” she said in a statement.

Wechsler expressed excitement about his new position at ISO. “I have worked with young musicians for my entire career, whether in a private lesson, group lesson or ensemble capacity. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of an organization that is helping to foster the next generation of orchestral musicians,” he stated.

Wechsler’s appointment marks the first time in ISO’s 46-year history that an education director position has been created, ISO officials said.

Wechsler is a member of the faculty at the College of Staten Island, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Poly Prep Country Day School in Dyker Heights. He has served in many music education positions over the years, including band director at Stuyvesant High School and P.S. 193 and P.S. 154 in Brooklyn.

He has also worked as the woodwind coach for the Brooklyn Philharmonic and the Queens Symphony and as a youth orchestra conductor of the Community Bridge Orchestra at the Jewish Community Council on Staten Island.

Wechsler’s resume includes experience as a flute teacher at Long Island University and the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and as an adjunct lecturer at Brooklyn College.

Over the years, he has taken part in tours with singing superstar Andrea Boccelli, served as the solo flutist in the Public Theater’s production of “King Lear” starring Kevin Kline and has played in the orchestras of Broadway musicals such as “Peter Pan,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aida,” “Les Misérables,” Miss Saigon,” “La Bohème,” “The Lion King,” “Porgy and Bess,” “Cinderella,” “Wicked” and “On The Town.”

He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center.

Wechsler is the founder and music director of The OMNI Ensemble, a chamber music group.

Wechsler is also a composer and was recently commissioned by Clarion Concerts in Columbia County to write “Carmela’s Blue Fit” for alto flute and strings.

Founded in 1972, ISO includes more than 300 children playing in six orchestras and two symphonic bands. ISO has performed in concert halls, schools and in community centers.

For more information on ISO, visit http://isorch.org/.