Faculty List

An award-winning composer and teacher, Murray Gross has also been honored by the American Symphony Orchestra League as one of the outstanding conductors in the nation. His compositions have been performed across the country, been broadcast over National Public Radio, and have received many honors including a Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) Award.

Murray Gross studied at the Interlochen Arts Academy, New England Conservatory and the Oberlin Conservatory, where he received the degree Master of Music. In 1978 he was honored with a Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst grant which enabled him to spend two years composing and conducting in Munich, Germany. In addition, Mr. Gross trained at the Pierre Monteux Domaine School and the International Bartok Festival in Hungary. Chosen by Antal Dorati in 1980 to serve as Assistant Conductor of the Detroit Symphony, Gross led that orchestra in hundreds of educational, pops and community concerts. An active guest conductor on several continents, he served as Music Director of Michigan 's West Shore Symphony from 1982 through 2001, and is currently Music Director of the Alma Symphony.

Mr. Gross's compositions have been performed by the New York New Music ensemble, the Nobilis Trio, the Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra, the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, the Woodland Trio, and many other professional ensembles. His 2007 duet for saxophone and piano, Irrational Exuberance, was commissioned by the Michigan Music Teachers Association, and upcoming premieres include You Must Remember This… to be performed by the Michigan State Symphony Orchestra in 2008.

Murray Gross received the degree Doctor of Musical Arts in composition from Michigan State University in 2005. Dr. Gross currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music at Alma College where he conducts the Alma Symphony and teaches theory, composition, and conducting.

Alma’s students work closely with faculty. The resulting partnership leads to co-authored publications, intellectual development and amazing opportunities. While faculty are fueled by the students’ curiosity, energy and ambition, the students are engaged by the faculty’s passion, attention and knowledge.