Philip Schuessler

'Rising Star' Combines Artistry and Productivity

Kenneth Boulton knows musical talent when he hears it. As head of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, his sharp ear picks up nuances that bypass most individuals.

So when Boulton describes an artist as a “rare individual with a keen sense of musical sophistication and intellect and an incredible imagination,” he is expressing his true admiration of a rising star in the music field … one now teaching, composing and performing at Southeastern.

Instructor of Music Philip Schuessler already had an enviable record of compositions when he joined Southeastern in 2010; his production has increased steadily since then. For his inspiring work, he has been named winner of the President’s Award for Excellence in Artistic Activity.

“Philip Schuessler is rapidly establishing a sterling reputation as a rising composer throughout the United States,” said Boulton, who nominated him for the honor. “His prodigious output combines the fullest potential of both acoustic and electronic music composition. What’s more, his gifted ability to describe and teach his craft has created genuine excitement for experimental composition among a number of students in our program.”

“I have had the good fortune of seeing my role as a composer expand into new and different musical roles – those of performer, conductor and concert organizer,” Schuessler said. “This has allowed me to grow as an artist and to interact with other musicians of extraordinary talent and generosity.”

Schuessler came to Southeastern after receiving his doctorate from State University of New York – Stony Brook. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Miami in 2001 and a Bachelor of Music degree from Birmingham-Southern College in 1999. At Southeastern, he teaches a variety of courses, including music theory, introduction to music, composition and several other undergraduate and graduate courses.

“Over the past three years, and the past year in particular, I have had the pleasure and opportunity to be involved in a number of creative musical endeavors that have each, in their own way, contributed to my fulfillment as a professional musician,” Schuessler said.

He cites as one of his proudest achievements the release last year of a commercial recording that included several of his compositions on Centaur, a major record label.  The album, Embers: Music for Saxophone with Piano and Electronics,” features several current and former members of the Southeastern music program, including Boulton and himself on the piano, former music instructor Richard Schwartz on the alto saxophone , and composer Stephen Suber. He co-produced the album with Schwartz and music instructor and wife Kari Besharse, who wrote the title piece “Embers.”

Schuessler and Besharse have also co-founded Versipel New Music, a fiscally-sponsored music organization dedicated to presenting high-quality, innovative performances of new classical music to the New Orleans area. Designed to educate the public about diverse works by living composers from around the world, as well as from Louisiana, the organization produces different concert series in various locales around New Orleans.

“The creation of this organization has allowed me to serve in new capacities, such as concert presenter/promoter and ensemble conductor,” he explained. “In these roles, I am able to promote numerous local, regional and internationally-based composers and other musicians.”

A prolific composer, Schuessler has produced more than 75 compositions and commissioned works, as well as numerous articles and publications. It is an accomplishment rarely seen by a professional in a teaching-intensive position.

“I am struck by the range and pace of creative activity that he has been able to maintain since graduating from Stony Brook,” said Daniel Weymouth, former chair of the Department of Music at SUNY-Stony Brook. “The first years post-doctoral can be very difficult, and it speaks volumes that he remains so active, while creating and teaching numerous courses.”

Weymouth is proud to see one of his pupils flourishing in the competitive music field.

“Dr. Schuessler is a superb emerging composer. His ideas are not at all ordinary, and he is able to follow an idea with determination,” Weymouth added.  “At the same time, I find his music quite subtle and full of nuance. His music is unusual – for this era, at least – in that he does not go for the ‘big effect,’ but relies on an accumulation of subtle surprises. The result is music that is witty, intellectually and esthetically satisfying.”