About Us - The Conductors
Angelo Gatto
 Angelo Gatto brings to the MYSO a wide background as violinist, teacher, conductor, and composer. Born in Italy, Angelo Gatto immigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He earned a degree in music at Duquense University and studied conducting and composition with Oscar Del Bianco. A Master's degree was received from Instituto Artistico Musicale in Milano, where he was a student of the eminent conductor Victor De Sabata. Intensely active in the Pittsburgh area, Angelo Gatto played with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, hosted his own weekly radio program, and conducted and played chamber music on WQED television. His 22-member Pittsburgh Strings achieved national prominence and were approved to tour abroad under President Eisenhower's special International Program.
A much-in-demand conductor, Angelo Gatto has conducted for festivals, workshops, symphony and opera. In addition to his MYSO concert tours, Angelo Gatto has conducted the American Youth Orchestra on a European goodwill tour, and has also conducted the Royal Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra in London with Ruggiero Ricci as guest violinist.
Angelo Gatto has written works for string orchestra, woodwinds, brass, choral music, piano, and symphony orchestra. The Friends of Harvey Gaul honored him as a composer; an organization dedicated to the memory of the American composer and organist. His book "The Master of Violin Technique" was published in 1987. He is a member of the music faculty at The Community College of Baltimore County, the conductor and founder of the Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra, and maintains a private studio for violin students.
Jeffrey Silberschlag
Jeffrey Silberschlag has distinguished himself in the world of music, performing as a conductor and trumpet soloist throughout Europe, the United States, Russia, China, Japan and Israel. His performances have been described as “compelling” by Germany’s Kölnishce Randschau; “extraordinary” by Italy’s L’Arena; and “outstanding” by Fanfare magazine.
Mr. Silberschlag has appeared as guest conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra, St. Petersburg Soloists, Orchestra Filharmonici di Torino, Symphony Orchestra of Rumania, London Philharmonic, La Scala Virtuosi, and the Moscow Academy Chamber Orchestra. He has directed premieres of works by such composers as Martin Gould, Lorenzo Ferrero, Ludivico Einaudi, Paul Chihara, Chou wen-Chung, David Froom, Kenji Bunch, Judith Shatin, Vivian Rudow and William Thomas McKinley.
Jeffrey Silberschlag has been a prominent trumpet performer on the international music circuit and has recorded as trumpet soloist with the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, Czech Radio Orchestra, Warsaw Philharmonic and Maryland Bach Aria Group.
Mr. Silberschlag is currently music director and conductor of the Chesapeake Orchestra and River Concert series and co-director of the Alba spring festival held in Northern Italy. He serves as artistic director and head of music performance at St. Mary’s College of Maryland where he has been a faculty member since 1988, serving as chair of the Music Department from 1997 to 2004. Currently, he holds the Steven Muller Distinguished Professor of Arts Chair.
Thomas Edward Cheezum
Thomas Edward Cheezum is beginning his seventh year as the Orchestra Conductor at Severna Park Middle School. During his tenure at SPMS, he has led the school’s orchestra program to high levels of performance at local and national events and competitions. He currently conducts SPMS musical productions; past shows have included The Wiz and School House Rock Live! He continues to conduct the Severna Park area’s annual Elementary School Strings Festival and he will be conducting The Pirates of Penzance at Severna Park High School in November 2007 while continuing musical direction for SPMS musicals.
Cheezum holds the Master of Music Degree in Performance from Peabody Conservatory (2001), where he studied Trombone and Wind Conducting with David Fetter and Dr. Harlan Parker. He earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Salisbury State University (1996) with Dr. Richard Johnson and hopes to complete Doctoral studies in Orchestral Conducting in the near future.
In the past, Cheezum has performed and recorded with many ensembles including the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, the Peabody Wind Ensemble and the Youngstown State University Jazz Ensemble; he has performed with pop musicians such as The Moody Blues, Lorrie Morgan and Kenny Burrell.
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