Ramon Zupko

Biography

Ramon Zupko (1932-2019) was born in Pittsburgh, PA. He was Professor Emeritus of Music of the School of Music, Western Michigan University, where he taught composition, theory, and founded and directed the Studio for Electronic and Computer music from 1971 to 1997. He taught theory and established the first Electronic Music Studio in Chicago at the Chicago Musical College from 1967-1971. He began to compose before his teens, and received his Bachelor and Master of Science in Composition degrees from the Juilliard School of Music. His principal composition teacher was Vincent Persichetti. He completed additional study with Aaron Copland, Otto Luening, and in Europe (where he lived for 5 years) with Michael Gottfried Koenig in Hilversum, and Karl Shiske in Vienna.

His music is with American Composers Alliance (BMI). Zupko’s catalog includes nearly 100 works, many of which employ electronic and digital media, as well as works for the theater. His composition awards, commissions, and honors include: * Fulbright Fellowship for study in Vienna, a Guggenheim Fellowship, American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters award, Koussevitzky Foundation Commission for orchestral work, Kennedy-Friedheim Competition award for Piano Concerto, American Composers Alliance Recording Award, Berkshire Music Center Commission for orchestral work, National Endowment for the Arts - 3 composer grants, Gilmore International Piano Festival commission for piano work, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia commission for an opera, Fromm Foundation commission for orchestral work, ISCM Competition - works selected twice to represent the U.S. at International Festivals, Premio Citta di Trieste - Violin Concerto awarded 1st prize, and Meet the Composer - grant to present premier of chamber work “Solo Passages.”  He was Distinguished Faculty Scholar at Western Michigan University 1983-84, a grantee of MENC-Ford Foundation - Composers in Public Schools Project.

Zupko's compositions have been performed at New York's "Composer 's Forum,” Carnegie Recital Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Borden Hall, BAM, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and at various festivals and college campuses throughout the U. S. and Europe.

His orchestral works have been performed by the Detroit, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Kalamazoo, Curtis Institute, Tanglewood Festival, National Orchestral Association, Grand Rapids, Brooklyn Philharmonic, and American Composers orchestras. 

He passed away October 22, 2019 in Chicago. 

ACE Publications

89 title(s)
Composer Title SCORING/INSTRUMENTATION Year
Ramon Zupko ADAGIO & SCHERZO
pf solo
Ramon Zupko ALL THE PRETTY HORSES
SATB; chamber orch
Ramon Zupko AN ALLELUIA MOMENT for Clarinet and Piano clarinet, piano
Ramon Zupko ARIA AND TOCCATA
Ramon Zupko BALLADE FOR ORCHESTRA orchestra:picc.-2-2-e.hn.-2-b.cl-2-c.bsn - 4-2-3-1- PERC. - HARP - STRINGS
Ramon Zupko BLUE ROOTS - SYMPHONY IN 3 MOVEMENTS orch: 2.2.2.2 4.3.3.1. 3 perc, kbd (pf & synth), str
Ramon Zupko BREAKING OF NATIONS, THE
Ramon Zupko CANTI TERRAE picc-3.3.3.3 4.3.3.1 3 perc, str
Ramon Zupko CHACONNE
Ramon Zupko CHORALE brass: 2.1.1.1(or btbn)
Ramon Zupko CITY IN THE SEA, THE mezS, str 4tet: 2-1-1
Ramon Zupko CRADLE SONG
high voice and piano
Ramon Zupko CREATION
electronic on tape
Ramon Zupko DANCE PRELUDE concert band: picc,2-2-3-a.cl.-b.cl.-2-sax: 2-2-1-cornets(tpts) 3- Hns:4- bar.hn:2-trb:3-tuba -perc.
Ramon Zupko DIALOGUES AND A DANCE 1-2-2-Eb cl.. 3cl.,a.cl., b.cl., 2 bsn., Sax: 2-2-1, Cornets (tpts):5, hns:4, bar.hns.:2, trb.:3 tuba, perc.
Ramon Zupko EARTH AND SKY - symphony for band 2 picc-2.2.3.bcl.2, 4 sax (AATB), 3cor,2 tpt., 4.2.euph.3.1, 6 perc
Ramon Zupko ELEGY
Ramon Zupko EMULATIONS
electronics, piano
Ramon Zupko EPITAPH
2 violins, viola, cello, bass
Ramon Zupko FANTASIA for orchestra 2,1,2,2,-4 - 2,2,1 - 4 Perc., Strings
Ramon Zupko FANTASIA FOR PIANO
Ramon Zupko FLUXUS 1 audio fixed media
Ramon Zupko FLUXUS 10 Horn and Fixed Media Audio
Ramon Zupko FLUXUS 11 flute, tape
Ramon Zupko FLUXUS 12
solo perc (mrmba, vib, xyl), tape (audio file)

Additional Works

CONVERSIONS FOR BAND - PUB. ELKAN VOGEL

FIXATIONS FOR PIANO TRIO & TAPE - PUB. C. F. PETERS

FANTASIES FOR WOODWIND QUINTET - PUB. PETERS

NOCTURNES FOR 2 PIANOS - PUB. PETERS

ODE AND JUBILATION FOR BAND - PUB. ELKAN VOGEL

PRELUDE AND BAGATELLE FOR STRING ORCH. -PUB. ELKAN VOGEL

PRO & CONTRA DANCES FOR BRASS QUINTET - PUB. PETERS

VIOLIN CONCERTO - PUB. SONZOGNO (ITALY),+ THEODORE PRESSER (U.S)

WHERE THE MOUNTAIN CROSSES-SONG CYCLE - PUB. PETERS

WINDSONGS - PIANO CONCERTO - PUB. PETERS