Stephen Michael Gryč

Composer Stephen Michael Gryč 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 is Professor Emeritus of Music Composition and Theory at the Hartt School of the University of Hartford in Connecticut where he taught full-time for 35 years. His instrumental expertise has brought him commissions from some of the world’s leading soloists including Bert Lucarelli (oboe), John Wion (flute), Carrie Koffman (saxophone), Philip Smith (trumpet), Joseph Alessi (trombone), and Leonid Sigal (violin).

Gryč has written for every type of western instrument and ensemble from duo to large orchestra. His works for flute and for trumpet have served as contest pieces for international performance competitions. His compositions have been performed by a diverse group of ensembles such as the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble, American Brass Quintet, Avalon String Quartet, Cascadian Chorale, United States Marine Band, and Minnesota Orchestra. 

Gryč earned four degrees in music, including the degree Doctor of Musical Arts, from the University of Michigan where he studied composition with Pulitzer Prize laureates Leslie Bassett and William Bolcom. His music is published by Alphonse Leduc, Boosey and Hawkes, Carl Fischer, Robert King, and others and is recorded on the Albany, Capstone, Centaur, Klavier, Navona, Naxos, Opus One, and Summit labels. Among his many awards are the 1986 Rudolf Nissim Prize for orchestral music from the ASCAP Foundation and the James and Frances Bent Award for Artistic Achievement from the University of Hartford.