Born on the Fourth of July, William “Bill” Schermerhorn is a two-time Emmy Award-winning songwriter. He graduated from William & Mary in 1982 with a Bachelor’s degree in History. Bill worked for Macy’s Parade & Entertainment Group for three decades, culminating in his position as Vice President/Parade Director from 2001-2016. Beyond his creative contributions to Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade and 4th of July Fireworks, he also wrote and produced numerous Macy’s events, including Christmas Tree Lightings, Flower Shows, Gala Store Openings and original Family Musicals with entertainers such as Julie Andrews, Whoopi Goldberg and Idina Menzel. His musical (book/Lyrics) “Yes, Virginia The Musical” was the recipient of a Gold and Silver Lion Award at the 2013 Cannes International Festival of Creativity and a Gold CLIO Award. Among other musical highlights, “American River Suite” debuted at Carnegie Hall in 2009 and “Free to Dream” premiered at Joe’s Pub in NYC, followed by a production featuring Darlene Love at the Kimball Theatre. Bill was invited to write the lyrics for “And That’s the Way It Is” to honor legendary newsman Walter Cronkite at his Lincoln Center memorial service.

In Spring 2017, Bill was a William & Mary Theatre Department artist-in residence; a William & Mary class workshop of his World War II Musical “Swing Wings” was performed. In Spring 2023, “MADam LUCY, deceased” was first staged in the Sir Christopher Wren building’s Great Hall and, later that fall, opened the new Studio Theatre at PBK.

Schermerhorn is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and The Dramatists Guild Inc and serves on the William & Mary Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is an honorary U.S. National Park Ranger and is currently the Creative Director for Colonial Williamsburg’s Signature Events. Bill resides in Williamsburg with his husband Dan Dutcher.