Matthew Cramer, bass

 

Originally from Nyack, NY, Matthew Cramer is a graduate of the Hartt School of the University of Hartford where he received his Bachelor of Music in Composition in 2013, studying composition with Dr. Tawnie Olson, Dr. Kenneth Steen, Dr. Larry Allen Smith, Dr. Robert Carl, and Elizabeth Brown, and studying voice with tenor Wayne Rivera. He is currently pursuing a Graduate Professional Diploma in Composition at Hartt working with composer, vocalist, and visual artist Gilda Lyons. Recent projects have included writing a new work for Hartt's contemporary ensemble "Foot in the Door", a reading by the Hartt Symphony Band, performances by the Hartt Chamber Choir & Camerata, composing a piece for the children's choir Chorus Angelicus for their 2013 Christmas Angelicus concert series, and providing incidental music for the Hartt Theater Division's production of TOP GIRLS, directed by Nora Chester.

 

In addition to composing, Matthew is a bass-baritone in the Greater Hartford region, singing with the Schola Cantorum at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, serving as a section leader at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church in downtown Hartford, cantoring at St. Thomas the Apostle in West Hartford, as well as singing with a variety of choral ensembles throughout the area, including Chorus Angelicus & Gaudeamus and Voce. With Chorus Angelicus & Gaudeamus he has had the opportunity to serve as soloist in performances of Fauré's Requiem, as well as the Connecticut premiere of Brian Coughlin's Requiem - a collaboration with the Fireworks Ensemble.  He is also featured on Chorus Angelicus & Gaudeamus' latest recording, Chakana Angelicus.  At Hartt, he is an active member of the Chamber Choir and Tour Choir serving as section leader for both ensembles, has performed as soloist with the resident baroque ensemble, Collegium Musicum, and has been seen in a number of mainstage opera productions, including Aaron Copland’s The Tender Land, and Thomas Pasatieri’s The Hotel Casablanca.

 

An aspiring conductor as well, Matthew was the Choral Conducting Assistant Scholarship recipient with the Greater New Haven Community Chorus (GNHCC) for their 2012-2013 season. He resides with two other musician-friends in Hartford, CT.

 

Find more information on Matthew’s current and past projects at www.facebook.com/matthewcramercomposer