William Rounds

Cellist William Rounds’ musical career encompasses a wide variety of performing and teaching experiences. He has appeared frequently for over three decades as an extra player in the Boston Symphony Orchestra; performing, recording and touring throughout the world with many of the most prominent conductors of this generation. With the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Mr. Rounds has been on over 40 national and international tours as well as performing annually for the nationally televised July 4 “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” live from Boston’s Esplanade.

As a soloist, Mr. Rounds has appeared in recital throughout the United States as well as performed concertos with numerous orchestras, most recently Dvorak’s Concerto for Cello with the Black Hills Symphony. He has been heard in a wide range of chamber ensembles, most recently in Japan, and appears on a Centaur recording of chamber works by Mexican composer Manuel Ponce. A former member of the Artaria Quartet, he performed widely in the United States and Germany as well as touring with pop superstar John Denver. Mr. Rounds studied at Boston University under renowned pedagogue George Neikrug, subsequently receiving fellowships to Tanglewood and other prominent festivals. Chamber music teachers include Joseph Silverstein, Eugene Lehner and members of the Muir String Quartet.

In addition to his classical career Mr. Rounds has recorded for Aerosmith, performed on the soundtracks for numerous movies, including the Oscar-winning Schindler’s List, and backed a large number of popular artists. He continues to perform as a member of the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the ensemble Chamarré. He has led clinics and master classes throughout the US, also serves on faculty at the University of Southern Maine and has maintained a long educational relationship with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras.