The music of composer Michael Murray (b. 1964) has been described as “well crafted,” “expertly and adroitly handled,” and consisting of “pleasing washes of sounds and tone colors.” Reviewers have praised his writing for voice as “excellent,” “lovely,” and “a gift to singers.” In addition to works for the concert hall, he has written music for film, theater productions, dance, and visual arts installations. He currently lives in Springfield, Missouri, where he teaches composition and music theory at Missouri State University.

Murray has won awards and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs. His music has been performed and recorded across the United States and Europe, featured in venues in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland, the Czech Republic, and over 20 different states and the District of Columbia. Incidental music and sound design Murray composed for Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice was featured in the International Prague Quadrennial Scenofest exhibition of theater design. Among his commissions are those from the Missouri Chamber Players and the music fraternities of Missouri State University. He earned his BM in composition from the Catholic University of America and his MM and DMA in composition from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Prior to coming to MSU, he taught at Loyola University in New Orleans and Angelo State University (Texas). His music is published by Ars Nova Press.

Albums

Coro Del Mundo

Release Date: June 8, 2018
Catalog Number: AR0008
21st Century
Vocal Music
Clarinet
Piano
Voice
Continuing in the series of Cuban recorded Ansonica Records projects comes CORO DEL MUNDO – choir of the world. With tracks ranging from sacred to secular, and from delicate to aggressive, the surprising cohesiveness of the composers’ work is astonishingly beautiful and impassioned. Schola Cantorum Coralina and Vocal Luna contribute exquisite vocals to the proceedings.

Abrazo: The Havana Sessions

Release Date: June 10, 2016
Catalog Number: AR0001
21st Century
Cuban
Jazz
Percussion
Piano
Voice
In November 2015, less than one year after these initial steps toward fully opening relations, PARMA Recordings produced the first of its recording projects in Havana. The resulting album, ABRAZO: THE HAVANA SESSIONS on the newly-minted Ansonica Records label, presents works for big band, small jazz combo, choir, and chamber ensembles by composers Bunny Beck, Roger Bourland, Don Bowyer, Margaret Brandman, John Carollo, Timothy Miller, Mel Mobley, and Michael Murray performed by current or former members of the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, the Buena Vista Social Club, Irakere, and many more.

Explore other albums featuring Michael Murray