Murray Boren
Encyclopedia
Murray Boren is a prolific composer of opera, symphonic, chamber, and vocal works. In 2007, he retired from his position as composer-in-residence at the College of Music of the College of Fine Arts and Communications
of Brigham Young University
(BYU).
Boren has both a B.M. and an M.M. degree from BYU and a D.M.A. from the City University of New York
. Boren began his academic career as department head at the University of Nsukka College of Education in Uyo
, Nigeria
from 1979-1980. He then taught for four years at BYU. After this he worked in administrative positions at the City University of New York and New York University
. He has been on the faculty of BYU since 1994 and composer-in-residence from 1999 until his retirement in 2007.
Boren has written the music for ten operas, some of which were with Glen Nelson as the librettist. Among his operas are Emma and The Book of Gold. He has also written over 100 songs and chamber compositions. Boren has also worked as the composer of music for live-theatre productions. He wrote the music for the Joseph Sonnets which were created in co-operation with Sally Taylor. Many of the pieces that Boren has written have been specifically for fellow BYU faculty such as flutist April Clayton.
Boren created the Song Cycles published by the Mormon Artists Group along with Daniel Bradshaw.
Boren is a Latter-day Saint. He is married to Susan Alexander Boren, a soprano with whom he has performed. They have three children.
Several of Boren's pieces were first performed by orchestras directed by Kory Katseanes
.
BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications
BYU College of Fine Arts and CommunicationsThe College of Fine Arts and Communications is one of nine colleges at Brigham Young University, a private university operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and located in Provo, Utah...
of Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
(BYU).
Boren has both a B.M. and an M.M. degree from BYU and a D.M.A. from the City University of New York
City University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
. Boren began his academic career as department head at the University of Nsukka College of Education in Uyo
Uyo
Uyo is a city in south-eastern Nigeria and is the capital of Akwa Ibom State, a major oil producing state of Nigeria. The city became a capital of Akwa Ibom State on September 23, 1987 following the creation of the state from Cross River State....
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
from 1979-1980. He then taught for four years at BYU. After this he worked in administrative positions at the City University of New York and New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. He has been on the faculty of BYU since 1994 and composer-in-residence from 1999 until his retirement in 2007.
Boren has written the music for ten operas, some of which were with Glen Nelson as the librettist. Among his operas are Emma and The Book of Gold. He has also written over 100 songs and chamber compositions. Boren has also worked as the composer of music for live-theatre productions. He wrote the music for the Joseph Sonnets which were created in co-operation with Sally Taylor. Many of the pieces that Boren has written have been specifically for fellow BYU faculty such as flutist April Clayton.
Boren created the Song Cycles published by the Mormon Artists Group along with Daniel Bradshaw.
Boren is a Latter-day Saint. He is married to Susan Alexander Boren, a soprano with whom he has performed. They have three children.
Several of Boren's pieces were first performed by orchestras directed by Kory Katseanes
Kory Katseanes
Kory Katseanes is the director of the School of Music at Brigham Young University as well as its orchestra program, one of the largest collegiate orchestra programs in the United States. He has also been a guest conductor for multiple orchestras....
.
Sources
- BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications bio
- Notice of Boren’s retirement from CUNY alumni notes
- International Harp Composition bio of Boren
- Mormon Times 17 January 2009.
- New York Times July 11, 1992
- Association for Mormon Letters review of The Book of Gold
- Mormon News Today Nov. 10, 2000