Wesley Fishwick began his music studies at a very early age. His parents, both professional musicians, encouraged him to begin exploring the piano at age three. Formal piano lessons began at age five with his father William, a graduate of the Royal College of Organists, London.
Wesley made his concert debut at fourteen performing the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto #1 with the St. Clair Symphony Orchestra. Shortly after, he began studies with Mischa Kottler, former pianist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Director of Music at WWJ radio, who was to become his primary teacher, friend, and musical guide. At fifteen, Wes met and played for Van Cliburn who awarded him several scholarships to the Interlochen Music Camp where he also studied with Eugene List, professor of piano at the Eastman School of Music and ex-officio pianist to presidents & world leaders at the White House (including Roosevelt, Churchill, & Stalin among others).
For developing musical artists of the late 20th century, the competition circuit became a “must do.” Mr. Fishwick has taken first prize in the Grinnell Piano Competition (Michigan State/USA) and the Young Keyboard Artists International Piano Competition (University of Michigan/International). He was also a participant in the 1974 Tchaikovsky International Competition (Moscow/International).
Wesley Fishwick has appeared with orchestras, in solo recitals and with chamber music groups throughout the Midwest. He has conducted master classes at several universities and colleges. His recent CD release, “Beethoven, Three Romantic Piano Sonatas”, a live performance recording, has received critical acclaim.
Well known as a composer, Mr. Fishwick’s choral work “Six Acrostics” was a prizewinner at the Ithaca College International Composition Competition (Ithaca, New York). Commissions include a piano concerto for the Lake St. Clair Symphony Orchestra, and “House Set Apart” (SATB, Soprano Solo, Narrator, Brass, and Timpani) for the Birmingham Unitarian Church. He has written over a hundred compositions including works for orchestra, chamber ensemble, voice, solo piano, and choral ensemble.
Mr. Fishwick holds bachelor and masters degrees in piano performance from Wayne State University completing his studies there with Mischa Kottler. Further postgraduate work includes education certification from University of Detroit/Mercy, a masters of science in education from Walden University and theological study at Wittenberg University.
A classroom teacher at Cheyenne Elementary School, Macomb MI, Mr. Fishwick resides in the Metro Detroit area with his wife, Mary, their five children, and Baxter, the family’s faithful golden retriever.