William Messner, singer, writer, musician, composer. Classically trained in Voice at Northwestern University School of Music.
His
early years as a performer, included several years in professional musical theater and the Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus.
His early
compositions include art songs, large choral works and a 90 minute opera. "The Equalizer", which he staged and received critical
acclaim. This production led to the creation of the Oak Park Civic Opera, through which he produced several seasons
of large scale fully staged operas with orchestra, including "Carmen", "The Magic Flute", and the US Premier of "The Beggars Opera".,
and others.
He also founded the Oak Park Civic Arts Council, which continues to award hundreds of thousands of dollars to area
artisians and arts organizations.
Messner has also produced and/or provided commercial talent for over 2,000 music concerts, club dates, festivals and private events
Messner has written and recorded several hundred commercial songs, seven of which recently appeared in two nationally
televised feature films, "She's Too Young" and "Odd Girl Out".
Forty-seven of his instrumental tracks were recently
licensed to Harpo Productions.