Cameron, Michael Joseph (1959-2022) | University of Illinois Archives

Michael Joseph Cameron (1959-2022) was a bassist, educator, composer, and writer. He was born in Utica, New York to parents Raymond and Margaret Cameron. Growing up in Hudson Falls, he began playing the double-bass in high school. He began performing with the Albany Symphony orchestra as a teenager. Cameron graduated in 1981 from Indiana University with a Bachelor's of Music, and from the same institution in 1982 with a Master's of Music. While there, he studied with Murray Grodner, Barry Green, and Stuart Sankey. He began his teaching career at West Texas State University in 1982, before transitioning to Baylor University in 1983.

In 1985, he joined the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's School of Music String Division as professor of double bass. During his time at the University of Illinois, he taught several classes in addition to his bass studio. Cameron also served as the head of the string division on several occassions. In addition to his work as a faculty member, he served as principal bass both of the Sinfonia da Camera and of the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra. Cameron played in the  Ciosoni Trio (Esperanto for "all sounds") alongside clarinetist Paul Martin Zonn and later Eric Mandat, and flutist Tim Lane. The group was known for its unusual instrumentation and the technical expertise of its members, performing interpretations of known works as well as works written for the trio.

In 2000, Cameron began working as a freelance writer with the Chicago Tribune, with whom he wrote over 100 concert and CD reviews. He also published scholarly articles with the American String Teachers Association and Bass World. Cameron was a member of the International Society of Bassists. His performance history includes many world premieres and American premieres for bass, as well as works dedicated to or commissioned by him. His repertoire varied widely, and included works in both classical and modern styles.

In 2008, Cameron began the company BassScores.com, a website devoted to enhancing bass repertoire. Most of the scores available on the site were arranged or edited by Cameron. Cameron was featured on or appeared in multiple published recordings, including "Progression," "Sound Bites," "Canto: Music for Double Bass by Thomas Frederickson," "Teresa LeVelle: The Shadowlands," "Uncommon Voices," and "Exhortations: Virtuoso Solo Instrumental and Chamber Music." Cameron died in Urbana on July 13, 2022. Following his death, Dr. Marcos Machado, Cameron's first DMA student, initiated the Michael Cameron Double Bass Competition on the Gult Coast.

https://www.bassscores.com/about

"Double Bassist Michael Cameron Has Died Aged 63," The Strad, July 14, 2022, online at: https://www.thestrad.com/news/double-bassist-michael-cameron-has-died-aged-63/15158.article