Michael F. Murray
Professor of Music - Composition and Theory
DMA, MM, University of Cincinnati;
BM, Catholic University
Department
of Music
Missouri State University
901 S. National Ave.
Springfield, MO 65897
Office: Ellis 102
Phone: (417)836-4250
E-mail: MikeMurray@MissouriState.edu
List of Compositions (including mp3 audio files)
Recent and upcoming performances:
The Prohibition
- The first of a set of songs based on poetry of John Donne (1572-1631) for mezzo-soprano and string quartet I am composing for Paula Patterson was premiered on February 28, 2010 by the Chamber Orchestra of the Ozarks. It was performed again at the 2010 Missouri State University Composition Festival (guest composer Carter Pann) on March 22.
Psalm 121
- This new work for SATB choir and viola was premiered on June 21, 2009 by the Missouri State University Chamber Choir under the direction of Chris Brammer with Kathy Murray, viola soloist. The performance was given at St. John's Chapel, UCC, in Springfield.
Four Songs of Solomon
- This work for tenor and orchestra is based on texts from the biblical Song of Songs. The first complete performance was given at the at the 2009 MSU Composition Festival Concert IV on March 11. The performance featured Andrew Childs, tenor, and the MSU Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Quebbeman.
Fantasia Concertante on Old American Tunes
- This work for solo viola, piano, and string orchestra was last performed by the Missouri State University Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Amy Muchnick, with Beth Trower and Jonathan Sneddon as soloists on April 15, 2009 in Ellis Recital Hall
Nurse's Song
- This choral work was commissioned by the music frtaernities of Missouri State University in memory of Pearl Yeadon, and was premiered by the Interfraternal Choir at MSU on April 12, 2008.
Recent research projects:
Music Theory I-IV
- This set of four textbooks for use in the typical four-semester undergraduate Music Theory sequence are published through McGraw-Hill's Primus custom publishing division. Review copies for adoption consideration are available by contacting McGraw-Hill Higher Education sales representative Michelle Hunter at Michelle_Hunter@mcgraw-hill.com
The
Max Hunter Folksong Collection Preservation Project
- This is a collection of nearly 1600 Ozarks folksongs
recorded by Max Hunter during the 1950's - 1970's. The
website contains links to individual song pages which
consist of transcriptions and audio files of the original
singers.
Web
ET
- This is set of World Wide Web pages containing ear
training exercises to assist students in the
four-semester Freshman and Sophomore music theory
sequence. (MUS 112, 114, 212, 214)
Biographical
Information
Michael Murray holds degrees in composition from the Catholic University of America and
the University of Cincinnati,
where his teachers included Allen Sapp, Fred Bianchi, and Steven
Strunk. His compositions have been performed throughout the United States,
Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe. He has won awards and grants from, among others,
the National Endowment for the Arts, the Rockefeller Foundation, Pi Kappa Lambda,
and the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs. In addition to works for the concert hall,
he has written music for film, theater productions, dance, and visual arts installations.
His intense interest in and work with traditional music
of the Ozark region of southwestern Missouri and northwestern Arkansas has been subtly
(and sometimes not so subtly) influencing his compositions for a number of years.
Dr. Murray has previously been on the faculties
of Angelo State University in
San Angelo, Texas, and Loyola
University New Orleans .
Professional memberships include ASCAP, Society of
Composers, Inc., American Music
Center, College
Music Society, and the Electronic
Music Foundation.
detail from Variance in a Box
Last Revised: 3/29/10
Comments: MikeMurray@MissouriState.edu