MSO Principal Percussionist Anthony “Tony” Asero has enjoyed an active musical career that began when he was an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland studying with Ronald Barnett. After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music, Tony went on to serve 22 years in the United States Navy as a member of both the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, DC and the Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Maryland. Throughout his military service, he held a variety of roles including Timpanist, Xylophone Soloist, and Enlisted Conductor. He also toured throughout the United States as soloist and traveled to Russia and Sweden.
Tony has collaborated with the Mid-Atlantic region’s leading symphonic and chamber ensembles, notably a long-standing association with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, with whom he toured and recorded. His performance credits include appearances at New York’s Carnegie Hall and Royal Albert Hall in London for the BBC Proms. He has also been a member of the Chautauqua Symphony, and has performed with the orchestras of Milwaukee, Ft. Worth, and Albany.
A dedicated music educator, Tony presents a variety of teaching programs for the MSO’s Education Department, and is the percussion coach for the DC Youth Orchestra. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of performing alongside, and being mentored by many of the nation’s most respected percussionists and educators, most notably Chris Williams, Don Liuzzi, and Chris Deviney. Tony credits John Richardson, former Principal Percussionist of the U.S. Air Force band. for laying the strong musical foundation that inspired his lifelong dedication to music.
Tony enjoys spending time with his wife, family, and friends. He is a fan of basketball, baseball, and all foods Italian. In addition to the vast symphonic repertoire, his other musical tastes are Grand Opera—especially the works of Verdi and Puccini—as well as classic rock and big band jazz.