Bryan Scott Stanbridge
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Percussionist and composer Bryan Scott Stanbridge holds a master of music in composition and master of music in instrumental performance (percussion) from Bowling Green State University. While at the university, Stanbridge studied with Elainie Lillios, Marilyn Shrude, Burton Beerman, Michael Sander and Roger Schupp. He holds a bachelor of music in performance from Eastern Michigan University where he studied with Anthony Iannaccone and John Dorsey.
Stanbridge’s music is influenced by the works of Morton Feldman, Alfred Schnittke, Aaron Copland and other mid-century American composers. He writes both acoustic and electroacoustic music, having received performances as part of the Threshold Electroacoustic Festival.
Stanbridge has written various works for chamber ensembles and soloists. His recent compositions include two electroacoustic pieces—For It’s One… and Into the Woods, Monochromes a seven-movement percussion duet, a suite for solo piano called Winter, As Flows the Red Cedar for solo violin and Out of the Darkness for eight voices (SSAATTBB) and piano in memory of Luciano Berio. Monochromes explores sonic possibilities with just one percussion instrument per movement. The largest work to date, a quasi-concerto for mezzo-soprano and large chamber ensemble, is a setting of the Magnificat to receive its premiere in 2007 in Minnesota. He is currently writing a marimba concerto with an accompanying trio and two song cycles, one for mezzo-soprano and percussion and the other for tenor with electroacoustics. With his concerto, he will showcase the possibilities of the six-octave marimba and explore the possibilities of the trio accompaniment as more than just sideline material. The song cycles will look to explore the interactions of voice in a duo texture.
Stanbridge is also active as a performer, both in ensembles and as a soloist. He plays with orchestras in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. He has sat as principal percussionist with the Perrysburg and Detroit Symphony Civic orchestras. The Lima Marimba Ensemble and a vocal/percussion duet with mezzo-soprano Judy Kniss are regular outlets for his performances. He is also the artistic director of the Purple Frog Players, a contemporary music ensemble currently in rehearsals for the 2007–2008 season. He endorses Planet Marimba, the company that designed and built his rare, six-octave marimba, and Percussion Construction, makers of high-quality sticks and mallets.
Stanbridge is the instructor of steel drums at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, and adjunct instructor of music at Owens Community College, Findlay, Ohio. He also teaches percussion ensemble and marching percussion at local high schools. He served as assistant director of bands at North Farmington High School and is currently the director of percussion at Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn, Mich., where he enjoys writing music for half-time shows and percussion ensemble concerts.
When not focusing on his musical endeavors, Stanbridge has designed and programmed web sites and computer games. He currently resides in Toledo, Ohio, where he enjoys riding his bike, cooking for friends and family, and taking care of his pet fish and water garden.