Scott A. Baeseman

SCOTT A. BAESEMAN is a graduate of Viterbo College, LaCrosse, Wisconsin. In 1993, he graduated with Honorary Distinction in the Master of Music program from DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, where he was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda Honorary Music Society.

As a performer he has performed roles in La Boheme, Carmen, The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro, as well as Amahl and the Night Visitors. In 1996, Mr. Baeseman performed the title role in the world premiere of Golk by internationally renowned Chicago composer John Eaton. He was invited to perform the complete Schubert's Wintereisse song cycle as part of the Brahms-Schubert Lieder Festival in Chicago in 1997. Mr. Baeseman is the Young Artist Encouragement winner of the Upper Midwest Regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions in addition to being a consistent finalist and winner in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Competition. He has been a frequent Rothschild grant recitalist with the Chicago Chamber Musicians and baritone soloist with Trinity Church in Highland Park, Illinois.

As an educator, Mr. Baeseman's students have participated in the Illinois Music Educators Association Honors Chorus, earned high markings at the Northwestern University/North Shore Concert Band Vocal Competition and have been strong leaders in the Midwest Young Artist Choral Program. Mr. Baeseman has been awarded with the Second Century Teaching Chair Award, Yvonne Banks Caring Teacher Award, James L. Marks Faculty Merit Award, and the prestigious Charles E. Leake Master Teacher Sabbatical Award at Lake Forest Country Day School. In 2009, he was a semi-finalist with the Chicago Area Golden Apple Foundation and in 2011 was named "Teacher of Distinction" by the organization. In 2012, he was awarded the Mary Hoffman "Music Teacher of the Year" by the Illinois Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Educators. His professional memberships include American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP), National Association for Music Educators, National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Orff-Schulwerk Association, American Choral Conductor's Association, American Recorder Teachers Association, Chicago Composers Forum, and the American Composers Forum.

As a composer, his works have been performed and/or recorded in the United States, Canada, and Europe with Samuel Ramey, Dr. Margaret Chen, Harold Brock, Pamela Williams, Roncalli Newman Family Choir, LaCrosse Boychoir, Inc., Onalaska High School Chorus, Loyola Academy Chorus, Church of the Holy Comforter, "Music At Trinity" concert series, and Trinity Episcopal Church. Since 1998, Lake Forest Country Day School has premiered 32 new compositions by Mr. Baeseman including the school's Alma Mater. Mr. Baeseman's "Three Works for Organ" had its premiere in March 2010 in Wuhan, China at the organ dedication in the new Qintai Concert Hall. In 2012, his Shakespeare song cycle, "The Touches of Sweet Harmony", was named a finalist in the National Association of Teacher of Singing Art Song Competition.

Mr. Baeseman has two beautiful daughters: Stella and Margaret (Mimi). He lives in an historic landmark home with his partner D.R. Smith in Highland Park, Illinois.