Peter Terry

Peter Terry (b. 1957) is an award-winning composer, conductor and educator. He holds a bachelor’s degree in trumpet from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree in music composition and theory from Bowling Green State University, and a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin in music composition and theory with an emphasis in computer music synthesis and applications.

Dr. Terry’s compositions have been performed and broadcast worldwide and appear on numerous contest and festival required music lists. With over 40 works published by Carl Fischer, BRS Music, Dorn Publications and Music for Percussion, Inc., Dr. Terry is sought out for commissions by numerous chamber groups, choirs, concert bands and orchestras. He is accomplished at every level of ensemble writing from beginner to middle school, high school and advanced ensembles. His music is colorful, dramatic, and characterized by a rhythmic verve and a deep lyricism that shows the influences of American popular music, world music and American classical composers such as Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber. He is particularly proud of the emphasis on playability and melodic interest for all the instruments in his compositions.

Dr. Terry has served on the faculties of the University of Texas at Austin, Cal State-Los Angeles, Bowling Green State University and Bluffton University. He served on the composition/theory faculty of the Interlochen Arts Camp.