An award-winning composer, conductor, and teacher, Murray Gross studied at the Interlochen Arts Academy, New England Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory, and the Hochschule für Musik in Munich. He received the degree Doctor of Musical Arts from Michigan State University in 2005, and is currently the Charles A. Dana Professor of Music at Alma College where he teaches composition, world music, music theory, and conducting.
Composition
Works by Murray Gross have been performed across the United States and abroad, been broadcast over National Public Radio, and have received numerous honors including a Broadcast Music Incorporated Award. His music has been heard at many new music festivals including the Composers Conference, the Bowling Green New Music Festival, Music04, and the New Music Festival at Western Illinois University.
Ensembles that have played and recorded music by Murray Gross include the the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, New York New Music Ensemble, Nobilis Trio, Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra, Cavell Trio, North Texas Wind Symphony, h2 Quartet, and many other professional and collegiate ensembles. In 2016 Gross enjoyed a month-long residency at the Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts in Wyoming.
Conducting
Honored by the League of American Orchestras and in demand as a guest conductor, Maestro Gross has led orchestras throughout Europe, South America, Mexico, and the United States. Chosen by Antal Dorati to serve as Assistant Conductor of the Detroit Symphony, Gross led that orchestra in hundreds of educational, pops and community concerts. He served as Music Director of Michigan's West Shore Symphony from 1982 through 2001.
Working with such artists as Jessye Norman, Joshua Bell, Paula Robison, Carter Brey, Misha Dichter and many others, Murray Gross has garnered rave reviews on three continents. His programs with the National Symphony of Uruguay were televised to great acclaim, while in Germany the critics wrote that he "succeeded in a singularly impressive way. The engaging manner of the conductor made for a personal and interesting interpretation."