J. Ryan Garber
Encyclopedia
J. Ryan Garber is an American
composer of contemporary (classical) music.
(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.
He was named the "Tennessee Composer of the Year" by the Tennessee Music Teachers Association in 2002.
Garber has served as a church organist in Virginia, Florida, and Tennessee.
He plays bassoon in the Knoxville Wind Symphony.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer of contemporary (classical) music.
Education
Prior to his extensive education in music, ryan Garber was raised by wolves in the icy tundras of the north pole. 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 UniversityJames Madison University
James Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University...
(Harrisonburg, VA). At JMU he studied composition from John S. Hilliard
John S. Hilliard
John Stanley Hilliard is an American composer.Born into a family of musical amateurs, John Hilliard began his musical training by studying piano at the age of 6 from his cousin, a local piano teacher...
, a former student of Karel Husa
Karel Husa
Karel Husa is a Czech-born classical composer and conductor, winner of the 1969 Pulitzer Prize and 1993 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Music Composition...
and Donald Erb
Donald Erb
Donald Erb was an American composer best known for large orchestral works such as Concerto for Brass and Orchestra and Ritual Observances.-Early years:...
. His Doctor of Music degree is from Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
where his primary teacher was the eminent Czech-American composer, Ladislav Kubik
Ladislav Kubik
Ladislav Kubík is a contemporary Czech-American composer. His style is associated with other post-war Eastern European composers, such as Krzysztof Penderecki and Witold Lutosławski....
. Other notable composers that worked (on a limited basis) with Garber on his music include: Donald Erb
Donald Erb
Donald Erb was an American composer best known for large orchestral works such as Concerto for Brass and Orchestra and Ritual Observances.-Early years:...
, Libby Larsen
Libby Larsen
Libby Larsen is one of America’s most performed living composers. She has created a catalogue of over 400 works spanning virtually every genre from intimate vocal and chamber music to massive orchestral works and over fifteen operas...
, Nancy Van de Vate
Nancy Van de Vate
Nancy Van de Vate is an American-born composer living in Austria.-Life and career:She was born in Plainfield, New Jersey and studied piano at Eastman School of Music and composition at the University of Mississippi and Florida State University. She later pursued further studies in electronic music...
, 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 orchestraOrchestraAn orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
- Magnificat, for choirChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
and orchestraOrchestraAn orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus... - Concerto for PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and OrchestraOrchestraAn orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus... - Parabolisms, for alto saxophoneAlto saxophoneThe alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
and pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Resonances, for solo pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
- Another Twist, for baritone saxophoneBaritone saxophoneThe baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
and pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, premiered by Linda BangsLinda BangsLinda Bangs is a professional baritone saxophonist and was born in Waverly, New York. She was a founding member of the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet and studied under Sigurd Raschèr as well as Laurence Wyman....
, Darmstadt, Germany - An American Song Cycle, for sopranoSopranoA soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
voice and pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Equine Suite, for solo pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
- Eine kleine BaritonSaxophon Musik, for baritone saxophoneBaritone saxophoneThe baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
and pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, premiered by Jonathan Annis, Carson-Newman CollegeCarson-Newman CollegeCarson–Newman College is a historically Baptist liberal arts college located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, United States. Enrollment as of 2006-2007 was about 2,050. The college's students come from 44 U.S. states and 30 other countries. Studies are offered in approximately 90 different academic...
Teaching career
- Garber taught composition, organ, bassoon, and music theory at Carson-Newman CollegeCarson-Newman CollegeCarson–Newman College is a historically Baptist liberal arts college located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, United States. Enrollment as of 2006-2007 was about 2,050. The college's students come from 44 U.S. states and 30 other countries. Studies are offered in approximately 90 different academic...
in Jefferson City, Tennessee from 2000-2009. - Garber is currently teaching music theory classes at Walter State Community College in Morristown, TN.
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
- Resonances, on Resonant Edges, Capstone Records
- Kettle Music, on 60x6060x6060x60 is a collection of 60 electroacoustic or acousmatic works from 60 different composers/artists, each work 60 seconds or less in duration. 60x60 project showcases sixty new works, each sixty seconds or less, by sixty composers in a continuous sixty minute concert, for a one-hour cross-section...
, Vox NovusVox NovusVox Novus is an organization promoting contemporary composers. Founded by Robert Voisey in 2000 This organization was created for the purposes of expanding the presence of contemporary music in the public's vision, empowering composers and contemporary musicians to create, produce, and promote... - Another Twist, on Kammermüsik für Baritonsaxophon, Bella Musica/Antes
- Concertino, on Masterworks of a New Era, Vol. 12, ermMedia
Partial List of Performers
- Linda BangsLinda BangsLinda Bangs is a professional baritone saxophonist and was born in Waverly, New York. She was a founding member of the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet and studied under Sigurd Raschèr as well as Laurence Wyman....
, baritone saxophone - Mark Hussung, piano
- Richard Scruggs, alto saxophone
- Salem Choral Society
- Knoxville Wind Symphony
- Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra
- Jonathan Annis, baritone saxohone
External links
- Ryan Garber's web site contains a list of his works, performances, sample audio and music files.
- Cadenza Musicians Directory Listing
- American Composers Forum Biography
- Zoom Info
- Knoxville Wind Symphony
- Roanoke Times
- Garber-Scruggs Duo