J. Ryan Garber

J. Ryan Garber (born 1973) is an American composer of contemporary (classical) music.

Education

Garber began musical studies on the piano at age four. He subsequently became proficient on the bassoon and organ as well. His undergraduate and Masters degrees are from James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA). At JMU he studied composition from John S. Hilliard, a former student of Karel Husa and Donald Erb. His Doctor of Music degree is from Florida State University where his primary teacher was the eminent Czech-American composer, Ladislav Kubik. Other notable composers that worked (on a limited basis) with Garber on his music include: Donald Erb, Libby Larsen, Nancy Van de Vate, and Ellen Taaffe Zwilich.

Composing career

Garber has composed numerous works for almost every genre, the most notable exceptions being opera. His music has been performed in many parts of the US as well as in Europe. For his compositions, he has been recognized and/or awarded from five national organizations.

He was named the "Tennessee Composer of the Year" by the Tennessee Music Teachers Association in 2002.

Partial Works List

*Concertino, for orchestra
*Magnificat, for choir and orchestra
*Concerto for Piano and Orchestra
*Parabolisms, for alto saxophone and piano
*Resonances, for solo piano
*Another Twist, for baritone saxophone and piano, premiered by Linda Bangs, Darmstadt, Germany

Teaching career

Currently, Garber teaches at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee. He is an Associate Professor and gives private instruction to composition, organ, and bassoon students. He also teaches upper level music theory classes.

Performing career

Along with saxophonist Richard J. Scruggs, Garber is part of the Garber-Scruggs Duo.Garber has served as a church organist in Virginia, Florida, and Tennessee.He plays bassoon in the Knoxville Wind Symphony.

Compositions on CD

ResonancesKettle MusicAnother TwistConcertino (forthcoming)

Partial List of Performers

Linda Bangs, baritone saxophoneMark Hussung, pianoRichard Scruggs, alto saxophoneSalem Choral SocietyKnoxville Wind SymphonyKnoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra

External links

* [http://www.ryangarber.com Ryan Garber's web site] contains a list of his works, performances, sample audio and music files.
* [http://www.cadenza.org/musicians/pages.cgi?id=5739 Cadenza Musicians Directory Listing]
* [http://www.composersforum.org/member_profile.cfm?oid=2418 American Composers Forum Biography]
* [http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Garber_J._-309824.aspx Zoom Info]
* [http://www.knoxvillewindsymphony.org/member-detail.cfm?memberID=11 Knoxville Wind Symphony]
* [http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/xp-23307 Roanoke Times]
* [http://www.garberscruggsduo.com Garber-Scruggs Duo]