MID-AMERICA STRING QUARTET

Michael Reaves

 Founder, Consultant, & First Violinist

A native Oklahoman, Mike earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance from Oklahoma City University and his Master of Music Education Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma .  He has held the position of Principal Second Violinist with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra since its inception in 1989.  He is also a member of the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra, where he has served as Assistant Concertmaster, Acting Concertmaster, and was a featured soloist on that Orchestra’s European Tour.

Mike served as concertmaster of Oklahoma City's Lyric Theatre Orchestra for 18 seasons, and on several occasions he has performed as the solo violinist with the national touring company's production of "Peter Pan", starring Cathy Rigby.  Mike was a member of the former Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra,  as well as the former Oklahoma City Chamber Orchestra.  He has also performed with the Fort Worth Symphony, Tulsa Philharmonic, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Wichita Falls Symphony, Enid Symphony,  and the Signature Symphony of Tulsa.  A former music educator on both the public school and university levels, Mike is much sought after as an adjudicator for music competitions throughout Oklahoma .

Mike is also widely recognized and respected as a general musical contractor throughout central Oklahoma .  When the need arises for orchestral musicians, many national touring companies, churches, universities, and other organizations utilize his expertise to hire an ensemble of the finest musicians in the area.  Mike's contracting experience has proved to be a tremendous asset in developing the organizational skills required in coordinating activities for the Mid-America String Quartet. 

Mike’s vast orchestral experience has given him the opportunity to work with such conductors as Maestros Joel Levine, Leonard Slatkin, Ransom Wilson, Bobby McFerrin, Marvin Hamlisch, Henry Mancini, Sergiu Comissiona, James De Priest, Jack Everly, Tommy Newsom, Guy Fraser Harrison, Luis Herrera de la Fuente, Skitch Henderson, Mitch Miller, Miriam Burns of the New York Philharmonic, and many others.  He’s worked with numerous classical artists, to include Yo-Yo Ma, Itzak Perlman, Pinchas Zuckerman, Sarah Chang, Sir James Galway, Joshua Bell, Van Cliburn, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Rene' Fleming, Leonard Rose, Andre Watts, Emanuel Ax, Jean Pierre Rampal, and Christopher Parkening.       

Mike has also enjoyed working with many pops artists, including Josh Groban, Tony Bennett, Bob Hope (I was very young!!), Wayne Newton, Johnny Mathis, Dionne Warwick, Liberace, Kathy Lee Gifford, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Reba McEntire, Doc Severinson, Phyllis Diller,  Sandy Patti, the Smothers Brothers, Glen Campbell, Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, the Moody Blues, Debbie Reynolds, Pete Fountain, Dudley Moore, Chet Atkins, Jim Nabors, Ray Charles, Roberta Flack, John Tesh, Peter Nero, Roy Clark, Carol Channing, Charlie Pride, Michael Martin Murphy, Harry Connick Jr., Stevie Wonder, Bernadette Peters, Olivia Newton-John, Sally Struthers, Kenny Loggins, Toby Keith, The Gatlin Brothers and many others.  Mike is grateful to the above mentioned artists, as well as the countless others he’s had the honor of working with.  He believes that each of them has contributed to his sense of musicianship and professionalism.  

Mike's wife, Catherine Reaves, is the Second Violinist with the Mid-America String Quartet.  She has been a member of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic since its inception in 1989 and has served as Principal Second Violinist with the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra since 1984.  In addition, Cathy is a regular member of the Lyric Theatre Orchestra.  Possessing many talents, Cathy is also the creator of the MASQ website.

Founding and organizing the Mid-America String Quartet is one of Mike’s proudest accomplishments.  He has over twenty five years experience leading and performing with the Quartet, providing the finest in string quartet entertainment for all occasions.  

Mike & Cathy Reaves of the Mid-America String Quartet and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic

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