Discipline: Music Composition

David Sermersheim

Discipline: Music Composition
Region: Lakeville, CT
MacDowell Fellowships: 1978

David Sermersheim was the chairman of the music Dept. at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Lakeville, CT for 33 years. David was first and foremost an educator. He never missed an opportunity to enlighten his students, family, friends or acquaintances about music, literature, poetry, or a multitude of other topics. During his tenure at Hotchkiss he worked tirelessly to build his department into a top rate music program. He was creative and innovative. Always seeking new ways to bring out the best in his students and showcase their talents. He was an accomplished musician and composer in his own right.

In retirement David turned from playing music to writing poetry and published a book of his poems in 2014. David never stopped learning and his curiosity led him in many directions throughout his life.

Studios

Sprague-Smith

David Sermersheim worked in the Sprague-Smith studio.

In January of 1976, the original Sprague-Smith Studio — built in 1915–1916 and funded by music students of Mrs. Charles Sprague-Smith of the Veltin School — was destroyed by fire. Redesigned by William Gnade, Sr., a Peterborough builder, the fieldstone structure was rebuilt the same year from the foundation up, reusing the original fieldstone. A few…

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