Ramon Zupko

Ramon Zupko was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1932. He is currently retired 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 Leuning, and in Europe (where he lived for 5 years) with Michael Gottfried Koenig in Hilversum, and Karl Shiske in Vienna.

He is a member of the American Composers Alliance, (from whom all of his otherwise unpublished works can be ordered) and BMI. He is also a member of the American Music Center. Zupko’s catalog includes nearly 100 works, many of which employ the electronic and digital mediums, as well as works for the theater. His composition awards, commissions, and honors include: * Fulbright Fellowship for study in Vienna * 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. * Meet the Composer - grant to present premier of chamber work “Solo Passages” * Distinguished Faculty Scholar award at Western Michigan University for 1983-84. * MENC-Ford Foundation “Composers in Public Schools Project” - 2 one-year grants for Texas & Illinois Zupko's compositions have been performed at New York's "Composer 's Forum,” Carnegie Recital Hall, Alice Tulley Hall in Lincoln Center, Borden Hall, BAM, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and at various festivals and college campuses throughout the country, as well as in 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.