The Cleveland Composers Guild

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A photo of Stephen T. Griebling

Stephen T. Griebling

Stephen T. Griebling was born in Akron OH on December 10, 1932. He was fascinated by mechanical things and loved music, but did not begin to study piano until he was 16. Just after graduating from high school he began to study 'cello and played in college orchestras for a number of years. He began writing music at age 17, and a full recital of his compositions was performed at Mount Union College just before he graduated with a degree in chemistry in 1954. He has sung in choruses for 50 years and is a bass in the Blossom Festival Chorus.

Mr. Griebling recently retired from the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company where he worked as a tire development engineer for nearly 40 years. He holds four patents and received two presidents' awards for original and creative thinking.

He was recently elected president of the Cleveland Free Flight Society.

He served as Junior Composers' Chairman for the O.F.M.C. where he took much care in writing constructive comments about each piece and in assembling the superior-rated manuscripts into a published booklet each year. In 1974 the Griebling family, all composers, was named Ohio Musical Family of the Year by Governor John Gilligan.

Griebling's compositions range from songs to orchestral works. His "Queensmere: Dec. 1964" was premiered by Louis Lane and the Akron Symphony in 1974 and was later awarded first prize in the NSOA composition contest. "Modern American Classics, Vol.2",a compact disc with the Warsaw Philharmonic on the "MMC" label, (MMC 2027)includes this piece.

In 1989 his first symphony was premiered by the Springfield Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Ferritto and was given a standing ovation by the enthusiastic audience.

His works have also been performed by the Akron Symphony Chorus, the Cleveland Octet and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony. His songs and choral works have been performed throughout the USA and Europe. His music is published by Willis Music and the Southern Music Company.

In 1993 Mr. Griebling collaborated with poet Robert Crawford in the writing of Jefferson Music, a dramatic narrative commemorating the 250th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's birth. Narration by Dr. James Stuart was accompanied by John Ferritto conducting a small chamber ensemble.

Griebling classifies himself as a neo-romantic composer. His style has changed little since he began to compose and his pieces are always melodious and direct. Composers he greatly admires include Debussy, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Prokofieff, Beethoven and Corelli.

 

Catalog of Works by Stephen T. Griebling

Band

  • Flying Aces March - 2002 (Duration: 5')
    • Publisher: none

    • Also available as Piano Duo (TwoPianos - Four Hands)

Chamber Ensemble

  • Three Pieces for Flute and Piano - 2009 (Duration: 7')
    • Publisher: None

    • For Flute and Piano - Moderate

  • Vision of a Noble Land - 2009 (Duration: 13')
    • Publisher: None

    • Exists in three Versions;

       Small Ensemble,, Chamber Orchestra and Piano Duet

  • Episode on Lake Erie - 2008 (Duration: 5')
    • Publisher: None

    • For Flute and Piano - Difficult.  Composed for the Artist and Composers Guild Project.

  • La Cinquintaine ( arr. for String Quartet.) - 2006 (Duration: 4')
    • Publisher: None

    • Revised version of the La Cinquintaine by Gabrielle Marie, with more modern harmonies.

  • String Quartet - 2005 (Duration: 13')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2006 by Composers Guild.

    • Three Movement Quartet-  intermediate difficulty - Neo Romantic Style.

  • Salidas - 2001 (Duration: 4')
    • Publisher: None

    • For Brass Quintet

  • Somber Piece - 1999 (Duration: 4')
    • Publisher: none

    • For 8 'celli

  • Habanera - 1990 (Duration: 3'10)
    • Publisher: Willis Music Co.
    • Premiered in 1990 by OFMC State Recital.

    • Moderately Difficult Piano Duet

  • JeffersonMusic - 1976 (Duration: 13')
    • Publisher: None

    • Originally intended for Horn, Clarinet, Oboe, String Quintet and Narrator, but there is a version titled Jefferson Epic for two pianos - four hands.

Chorus

  • Evening Prayer - 2006 (Duration: 2')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2009 by St. Cecilia Chorus.

    • Text from Book of Common Prayer

  • A New Beginning - 2000 (Duration: 4')
    • Publisher: None

    • SATB , Mezzo Solo and Organ - original text.

  • Cradle Song for Jesus - 1999 (Duration: 2')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1999 by St. Cecilia Chorus.

    • Original Text

  • Psalm 150 - 1991 (Duration: 3')
    • Publisher: Willis Music Co.
    • Premiered in 2000 by Old Stone Church Chorus.

    • for SATB

  • A Song of Love - 1990 (Duration: 4')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1990 by First Congregational Church Chorus Akron, OH.

    • SATB and Organ of Piano

  • Hurry Up - 1990 (Duration: 2')
  • For Everything There is a Season - 1976 (Duration: 5')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1976 by Akron Symphony Chorus.

    • Biblical Text for Eccliastes.  Piece was a Finalist in the Ithaca Choral Composition Competition.

Orchestral

  • Six Miniatures in Slavic Style - 1986 (Duration: 10')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1986 by Cleveland Chamber Orch. David Lockington.

    • For chamber orchestra.  Adapted from original piano solo version which is published by Willis Music Co.

  • Symphony Number One - 1978 (Duration: 30 minutes)
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1980 by Springfield Symphony Orch..

    • For Full Symphony Orchestra.  A romantic work in cyclic form with conseravative contemporary harmonies and standard orchestration.  Recieved standing ovation at its premiere.

  • Queensmere - 1974 (Duration: 8')
    • Publisher: Southern Music Co.
    • Premiered in 1974 by Akron Symphony Orch - Louis Lane.

    • Won first prize in the NSOA composition contest in 1978.  Romantic Adagio for stnadard symphony orchestra.

Solo Instrument

  • Contrasts - 2004 (Duration: 5')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2005 by Composers Guild Junior Concert.

    • for 'Cello and Piano

  • Four Romances for Oboe and piano - 1990 (Duration: 10')
    • Publisher: Manduca Music
  • Six Duets for Clarinets - 1990 (Duration: 8')
  • Six Duets for English Horn and Oboe - 1970 (Duration: 8')
    • Publisher: None

    • Teaching Pieces composed for Margi Griebling and Harvey Mc Guire

  • Sonata for 'Cello and Piano - 1956 (Duration: 13')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2007 by Composers Guild.

    • Intermediate difficulty, Romantic Style Piece in three movements

Solo Keyboard

  • Five Preludes for Solo Piano - 2009 (Duration: 8 minutes)
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2008 by Composers Guild.

    • Moderately Difficult

  • Falling Leaves - 2008 (Duration: 1 minute)
    • Publisher: None

    • Elementary Plus

  • Gavotte - 2008 (Duration: 1 minute)
    • Publisher: None

    • Elementary Plus

  • In the Park - 2008 (Duration: 1 minute)
    • Publisher: None

    • Elementary Plus

  • In the Park - 2008 (Duration: 1 minute)
    • Publisher: None

    • Elementary Plus

  • Little Waltz - 2008 (Duration: 1 minute)
    • Publisher: None

    • Elementary Plus

  • Lament in F Minor - 2008 (Duration: 2 minutes)
    • Publisher: None

    • Elementary Plus

  • Peasant Song - 2008 (Duration: 2 minutes)

    • Elementary Plus

  • Watermelon Time - 2008 (Duration: 1 minute)
    • Publisher: None

    • Elementary Plus

  • Whirlwind - 2008 (Duration: 1 minute)

    • Elementary Plus

  • Wistful Habanera - 2008 (Duration: 2 minutes)
    • Publisher: None

    • Elementary Plus

  • Zephyr - 2008 (Duration: 2 minutes)
    • Publisher: None

    • Elementary Plus

  • Telephone Number - 2008 (Duration: 2 minutes)
    • Publisher: None

    • Intermediate

  • Slow Tango - 2008 (Duration: 2 minutes)
    • Publisher: None

    • Advanced Elementary

  • Chaconne - 2008 (Duration: 4 minutes)
    • Publisher: None

    • Moderately Advanced

  • Cordova - 2008 (Duration: 3 minutes)
    • Publisher: None

    • Intermediate

  • Prelude for Organ - 2008 (Duration: 3 min.)
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2003 by Composers Guild.

    • On NFMC List for Required Solos for 2008 through 2010  category D-1

  • Chaconne - 2007 (Duration: 5')
    • Publisher: None

    • Available as Organ or Piano Solo

  • Rondo for Alixis - 2006 (Duration: 3 minutes)
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2006 by Composers Guild Junior Concert.

    • Moderately Difficult

  • Driving Along - 2004 (Duration: 1 minute)
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2004 by Cleveland Composers Guild Young People.

    • Elementary plus

    • More on this work at maryanngriebling@yahoo.com
  • Putting on the Brakes - 2004 (Duration: 1 minute)
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2004 by Composers Guild Junior Concert.

    • Elementary

  • Six Miniatures in Slavic Style - 2002 (Duration: 8 minutes)
  • The Jolly Merchant - Piano Duet - 2002
  • Tropical Tango Piano Duet - Early Intermediate - 2002 (Duration: 3')
  • Reflections of Youth - 2001
    • Publisher: Willis Music Co.

    • Ten Piano Solos with graded difficulty from Elemenatry to Moderate.

      Two pieces are on the NFMC Required Solo list for competitions.

  • Tranquility - 2001 (Duration: 3 minutes)
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2001 by Ron Palke Studio.

    • Intermediate

  • Poem - 1997 (Duration: 3')
    • Publisher: Willis Music Co.

    • Approved piece or NFMC Competitions 2001-2003 -  Later Intermediate category

  • Jazz Piece - 1995 (Duration: 2 minutes)
  • Contemplation - 1986 (Duration: 3 minutes)
    • Publisher: Willis Music Co.

    • Later Intermediate

       

      On Required NFMC Competion List

  • Sonata for Piano - 1968 (Duration: 25 min.)
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1985 by Composers Guild.

    • Difficult Romatic Style Piece

Solo Vocal

  • The Fawn - 2009 (Duration: 5')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2009 by Composers Guild.

    • For Soprano, Viola and Piano - Text by Millay

  • Methuselah - 2008 (Duration: 3 minutes)
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2003 by Composers Guild Junior Concert.

    • For Soprano and Piano

  • Afternoon on a Hill - 2007 (Duration: 1')
    • Publisher: none
    • Premiered in 2007 by Gabrielle Haigh Vocal recital.

    • Text by Edna St. Vincent Millay - for Soprano and Piano

  • Grains of Sand - 2006 (Duration: 5 Min.)
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2006 by Composers Guild.

    • Text by Celeste Bocachicchio for Poets League/ Composer's Guild Recital for Soprano and Piano.

  • Dear God - 2006 (Duration: 3')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2006 by St. Cecilia Chorus Solo Recital.

    • Text By Frances Swartz Levy - for Mezzo and Piano

  • Loving Life - 2006 (Duration: 3')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2006 by St. Cecilia Chorus Solo Recital.

    • Text by Frances Swartz Levy - for Mezzo and Piano

  • A Chagall Portrait - 2005 (Duration: 4')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2005 by Composers Guild /Poet League Recital.

    • Text by Woodrich - for Baritone and Piano

  • Umbrella Drink - 2002 (Duration: 3 minutes)
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2002 by Composers Guild.

    • Text by Cleveland Poet - Gail Bellamy, Muisc for Soprano and Piano

  • Tavern - 2002 (Duration: 3')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2002 by Mary Sue Hyatt Solo recital Kent,OH.

    • Text by Edna St. Vincent Millay - for Mezzo and Piano

  • Nocturne - 2002 (Duration: 3')
    • Publisher: none

    • Poetry by Christopher Schmitz - for Baritone and Piano

  • The Three Jolly Pigeons - 1996 (Duration: 2')
    • Publisher: None

    • Text by Oliver Goldsmith - for Mezzo and Piano

  • Christmas Carol - 1995 (Duration: 3')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1995 by Mary Sue Hyatt Solo recital Kent,OH.

    • Text by Sara Teasdale - for mezzo and piano

  • Joy - 1995 (Duration: 4')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1995 by Mary Sue Hyatt Solo recital Kent,OH.

    • Text by sara Teasdale -  for  mezzo and piano

  • Spring Rain - 1995 (Duration: 4')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1996 by Mary Sue Hyatt Solo recital in Arizona.

    • Text by Sara Teasdale - for Mezzo and Piano

  • The Star - 1995 (Duration: 5')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered by none.

    • Text by Sara Teasdale - for Mezzo and Piano

  • When I am not With You - 1995 (Duration: 4')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1995 by Mary Sue Hyatt Solo recital in Arizona.

    • Tezt by Sara Teasdale - for Mezzo and Piano

  • The Penitent - 1994 (Duration: 3')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1994 by Mary Sue Hyatt Solo recital Kent,OH.

    • Text by Millay - for Mezzo and Piano

  • Psalm 134 - 1985 (Duration: 3 minutes)
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1985 by Mary Sue Hyatt in Arizona.

    • For Mezzo Soprano and Organ with biblical text

  • First Fig - 1978 (Duration: 45")
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1978 by Mary Sue Hyatt in Akron, OH.

    • Text by Edna St. Vincent Milay - for Mezzo and Piano

  • Sorrow - 1978 (Duration: 3')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1978 by Mary Sue Hyatt in Akron, OH.

    • Text by Edna St.Vincent Millay - for Mezzo and Piano

  • Three Songs form The Lamp and the Bell - 1977 (Duration: 6')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1977 by Grace Reginal Scott/Margaret Baxtresser .

    • Text by Edna St. Vincent Millay - for Mezzo and Piano

  • Four Songs to Poetry of Betty Onyett - 1970 (Duration: 6')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 2000 by Mount Union College Poets .

    • 'Drifting', 'In the Dark of Morning', 'Captured Moment', 'Handle a New Morn Gently'. 

       for Mezzo and piano

  • God's World - 1954 (Duration: 4')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1954 by Jane Denton Recital at Mount Union College.

    • Text by Edna St. Vincent Millay  for Soprano and Piano

  • Hyacinth - 1954 (Duration: 2')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1954 by Jane Denton Recital at Mount Union College.

    • Text by Edna St. Vincent Millay  - for Soprano and Piano

  • Kin to Sorrow - 1954 (Duration: 2')
    • Publisher: None
    • Premiered in 1954 by Jane Denton Recital at Mount Union College.

    • Text by Edna St. Vincent Millay - for Soprano and Piano

Vocal Ensemble

  • A Lute Carol - 1998 (Duration: 2')
    • Publisher: none

    • Text by Robert Herrick -  for Soprano, Mezzo and Piano

  • Lesson - 1998 (Duration: 2')
    • Publisher: None

    • For Mezzo, Soprano and Piano text by Teasdale