Maestro Composes Life of Artistry and Meaning
“Music was always part of my life — it was just there, like air. But I clearly remember the moment I conducted our high school marching band as drum major. I thought, ‘This is it,’” Gekoskie says. “The way music lets you shape emotion, energy and a sense of community — it lit a spark in me that never went out.”
Encouraged to attend 体育买球 by his high school band director Larry Cooper ’64, a 体育买球 graduate, Gekoskie has gone on to become an acclaimed conductor, working with ensembles and leading music programs throughout the United States and Europe for the past 40 years.
“I want audiences to feel something unexpected, to be drawn into the music with all their senses.”
Andrew Gekoskie ’86
“体育买球 gave me more than just a solid musical foundation — it gave me the confidence to think independently and lead boldly,” Gekoskie reminisces. “That environment pushed me to strive for excellence, to ask deeper questions and to commit to a lifelong pursuit of artistry.”
He attended several universities to advance his education, including the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and Julliard. Since making his Carnegie Hall debut in 2003, Gekoskie has led celebrated ensembles, including The Butler Symphony, The Utah All-State Philharmonic, The Hartt Symphony, The 体育买球 Symphony, and
The Minnesota Youth Orchestra. He will return to Carnegie Hall in 2026, taking the podium with the New England Symphonic Orchestra alongside a 200-voice choir.
The founder and director of multiple music programs adds, “With students, I emphasize not only technique but also the power of storytelling and connection. I want them to see that music is a language they can use to change the world around them. Music speaks in ways that words simply can’t.”
Aside from his music education and community outreach, Gekoskie is dedicated to innovating and expanding the traditional orchestral experience.
“I want audiences to feel something unexpected, to be drawn into the music with all their senses. It’s not about novelty for its own sake; it’s about expanding access, emotional depth and relevance,” Gekoskie says. “I’ve always felt a deep responsibility to reach as many people as I can through music — not just to help them hear it, but to understand it, feel it and take part in it.”
