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 and publisher information)

Biographical Information

Originally from suburban Maryland, Michael Murray currently lives in Springfield, Missouri, where he teaches composition and music theory at Missouri State University. His music has been described as "well crafted," "expertly and adroitly handled," and consisting of "pleasing washes of sounds and tone colors." 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. Among his commissions are those from the Missouri Chamber Players, 13th Street Gallery (Omaha), and the music fraternities of Missouri State University. In addition to works for the concert hall, he has written music for film, theater productions, dance, and visual arts installations.

His music and sound design for Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice was featured in the International Prague Quadrennial Scenofest exhibition of theater design. The Wild Winds Weep, a set of songs for soprano, horn, and piano, was given its world premiere performance at the Bergen (Norway) Festival. He earned a BM in composition from the Catholic University of America and the MM and DMA in composition from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Before coming to MSU, he taught at Loyola University New Orleans and Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. Several of his compositions are available through Ars Nova Press.

Professional memberships include ASCAP, Society of Composers, Inc., College Music Society, and the Electronic Music Foundation.

Recent and upcoming performances:

Tempest Fantasy

This work for string orchestra is based on themes originally composed as incidental music for the MSU production of Shakespeare's The Tempest in 2000. The premiere performance was given by the MSU Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Amy Muchnick on March 12, 2012 as part of MSU's annual Composition Festival (Darcy James Argue, guest composer).

Three Donne Songs

This song cycle for mezzo-soprano and string quartet is based on poetry of John Donne (1572-1631) and was composed for Paula Patterson. The premiere performance was on March 12, 2012 as part of MSU's annual Composition Festival (Darcy James Argue, guest composer).

After the Fall

This work for SATB choir with text by Jodi Kanter (available through Ars Nova Press) was originally written to commemorate the first anniversary of 9/11. It was performed recently on a concert marking the tenth anniversary by the Arkansas State University Concert Choir, directed by Dr. Dale Miller. Watch a video of the performance on YouTube

Psalm 121

This setting 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

Recent research projects:

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 103, 104, 203, 204)

detail from Variance in a Box

Last Revised: 02/08/12
Comments: MikeMurray@MissouriState.edu