BIOGRAPHY
American composer Stephen Michael Gryc has always been fascinated by sounds
and musical
instruments. An intimate understanding of the technique of instruments and the
imaginative use of
instrumental color are hallmarks of his music. He holds the position of Professor
of Music
Composition and Theory at the Hartt School of the University of Hartford where
he teaches
traditional orchestration courses as well as original courses in writing for
wind ensembles and for
voices. His instrumental expertise has brought him commissions from a diverse
group of the world's
leading soloists including oboist Bert Lucarelli, flutist John Wion, and trumpeter
Philip Smith. Gryc's
most recent commissions include a string quartet for the Arizona Friends of
Chamber Music and a
trombone concerto for Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic.
Gryc has written for every type of western instrument and ensemble from duo
to large orchestra.
His works for flute have served as contest pieces for three international performance
competitions,
most recently the Albert Cooper Competition held at the International Flute
Festival in Stratford-
upon-Avon, England in August of 2003. His music has been performed by such ensembles
as the
New Jersey PercussionEnsemble, Philadelphia Brass Quintet, Avalon String Quartet,
Cascadian
Choral, United States Marine Band, and Minnesota Orchestra. His works have been
heard in
43 US states and in 23 foreign countries in North and South America, Europe,
Asia, and Australia.
Stephen Michael Gryc was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1949. He earned four
degrees in music,
including the degree Doctor of Musical Arts, from the University of Michigan
where he studied
composition with William Albright, Leslie Bassett, and William Bolcom. His music
is published by
Alphonse Leduc, Boosey & Hawkes, Carl Fischer, Robert King, and others and
is recorded on the
Capstone, Centaur, Klavier, Opus One and Summit labels. Among his many awards
are the 1986
Rudolf Nissim Prize for orchestral music and the James and Frances Bent Award
for Artistic
Achievement from the University of Hartford. Stephen Michael Gryc's music is
licensed by ASCAP.
Stephen Gryc at Eastman Theater before performance of his Masquerade Vartions by the Eastman Wind Ensemble