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Dr. Rocky J. Reuter (b. 1956) composes music for a vast array of ensembles in a myriad of styles, using varied and unique techniques. He began composing at a very early age while summering with his grandmother, Martha Fullbright, who held the keys to the Burton (WI) Town Hall. The hall contained a pump/pedal organ and an upright acoustic piano that hadn't been tuned in many years. Some have suggested that this explains a lot about Reuter's music!

Degrees

International

The only composer invited to represent America at the 1996 Budapest Őszi (Autumn) Fesztivál, Reuter has also served as Guest Lecturer/Composer/Performer at the Miscolz Arts Festival in Hungary and the Hochschule für Musik in Dresden, Germany, and as Guest Lecturer/Composer at the Liszt Academy and the Zoltán Kodály Institute in Hungary, as well as the Shen Yang Conservatory of Music in China. He has created original works in the electronic studios of the Hochschule für Musik in Dresden and the Budapest National Radio at the invitation of the studio directors. In addition, his music has been performed in Saudia Arabia. Reuter served as the keynote speaker for the Technology Institute for Music Educators Asian Conference in Singapore. He also is co-author of "Electronic Musical Instruments" in the book Technology Guide for Music Educators (Thompson, Boston, 2005).

National/Regional

In the United States, Reuter has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. He has been a member of several composition societies, including the Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI), for which he served as co-director of the society's largest region for eight years, and the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS). He has served as Composer-in-Residence and Guest Composer/Lecturer/Performer at a number of university and new music events and festivals, including Butler University, Drake University, and Plymouth State University. For the Technology Institute for Music Educators (TI:ME) he served on the Board of Directors, Board of Advisors, and chaired/organized seven of their national annual conferences, plus multiple regional conferences. For the Association for Technology in Music Education (ATMI) he served as Vice President and chaired/served on five national conference committees. He has also served as a keynote speaker for the College Music Society's Midwestern Regional Conference.

 

Ohio

Reuter received an Individual Artist Fellowship for Composition from the Greater Columbus Arts Council. He also was recognized as Outstanding Alumni Composer by The Ohio State University College of the Arts School of Music at their 2001 New Music Festival. He has served as a guest resident composer at select Ohio public schools, and as chair of the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Conference Technology Committee four times. In addition, he has served as the keynote speaker for regional conferences of the Ohio Music Education Association.

 

Capital University

Having attained the rank of Professor Emeritus on May 13, 2016, Reuter's 30-year career at the Capital University's Conservatory of Music included a wealth of experiences. He wrote three inaugural commissions for three presidents; was the primary architect of the Conservatory’s degrees BM in composition, BM in music technology, and BA in music technology; and was co-creator of the current BA in Music degree. Reuter served as Interim Dean of the Conservatory of Music and Assistant Dean of the Conservatory of Music and School of Communication; Head of the Composition, Music Technology, and Conservatory Core Departments; Vice Chair of the Undergraduate Faculty Governance and Chair of the University Senate; and served the institution in multiple capacities as a technology specialist and committee member. In addition to acoustic, electronic, and electro-acoustic composition, he taught courses in the Music Tech and Business Areas and remains the Music Technology Internship Coordinator. Early on, he taught all levels of music theory and studio trombone. He was the founder of Ensemble Now, a contemporary music and improvisation ensemble; the MIDI Band, est. 1987 as the first all-MIDI ensemble in the nation; and NOW MUSIC Festival @ Capital University, one of the most diverse festivals of contemporary music in the Midwest.

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