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
Three Donne Songs
After the Fall
Psalm 121
Four Songs of Solomon
Fantasia Concertante on Old American Tunes
Recent research projects:
The Max Hunter Folksong Collection Preservation Project
detail from Variance in a Box
Last Revised: 02/08/12
Comments: MikeMurray@MissouriState.edu