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Carlton McCreery
String Area - Cello Faculty Biography
Carlton McCreery, Professor of Cello, is a native of Toledo, Ohio and began studying cello with his brother while in the fourth grade. In high school, he served a principal cellist and soloist with the Toledo Youth Orchestra. Later, at Bowling Green State University, he studied with Peter Howard (Principal Cellist of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra). Following his undergraduate degree, Mr. McCreery was appointed Associate Principal Cellist of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. He studied in Zurich, Switzerland with Gregor Piatigorsky and at the Mozarteum Academy in Salzburg, Austria with Antonio Janigro. At the University of Michigan, he studied with Oliver Edell and conducting with Elizabeth A.H. Green. He had further cello study with such noted artists as Zara Nelsova and Lynn Harrell. His first academic appointment was at the age of 23 at Pittsburg State University, where he was a member of the Resident String Quartet. He also served as a Professor at Southwest Missouri State University and the Lawrence Conservatory of Music. In addition to performing with the internationally acclaimed Cadek Trio, Mr. McCreery serves as Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Alabama. Mr. McCreery has concertized in China, South America, Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Switzerland and the cultural centers of Boston, Washington, D.C. and New York. The Bucaramanga Vanguardia Liberal wrote that the performance showed “flawless interpretation and . . . refined beauty.” “He dealt with the variety of moods with a high degree of virtuosity.” said the Meridian Star and the Birmingham News said, “Carlton McCreery performed musically, with clean intonation and flawless rhythm . . .” Following his concert on the Great Performance Series in Charleston, SC, the News and Courier exclaimed how he “created stunning climaxes with his virtuosity and equally clean technique.” Mr. McCreery recently completed his 33 year on the Artist-Faculty of the Brevard Music Center, where he was Principal Cellist of the Brevard Music Center Festival Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Repertory Symphony Orchestra. Mr. McCreery is a spokesperson for the international Super-Sensitive Musical String Company. As an educator, McCreery is in constant demand. His former students perform with prestigious orchestras and teach at universities and music festivals through out the country. Mr. McCreery owns several cellos, including a Scarampella and a Carl Becker (1930).