I am Dr. Gary Funk, a composer, conductor, and educator dedicated to choral music education, voice training, music composition, and solo singing. I earned a Bachelor of Music Education from The University of Montana, a Master of Science in Teaching from Portland State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Arizona State University. Growing up with two college-educated musician parents, my early immersion in music shaped my own compositional voice and my belief that well-formed music reflects the human condition. My works span opera, musical theatre, choral pieces, popular songs, jazz arrangements, and orchestral music, and I’m actively involved in teaching voice, directing ensembles, and writing books while mentoring students and building programs in Montana and beyond.…

Gary Funk

I am Dr. Gary Funk, a composer, conductor, and educator dedicated to choral music education, voice training, music composition, and solo singing. I earned a Bachelor of Music Education from The University of Montana, a Master of Science in Teaching from Portland State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Arizona State University. Growing up with two college-educated musician parents, my early immersion in music shaped my own compositional voice and my belief that well-formed music reflects the human condition. My works span opera, musical theatre, choral pieces, popular songs, jazz arrangements, and orchestral music, and I’m actively involved in teaching voice, directing ensembles, and writing books while mentoring students and building programs in Montana and beyond.…

Available to hire

I am Dr. Gary Funk, a composer, conductor, and educator dedicated to choral music education, voice training, music composition, and solo singing. I earned a Bachelor of Music Education from The University of Montana, a Master of Science in Teaching from Portland State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Arizona State University.

Growing up with two college-educated musician parents, my early immersion in music shaped my own compositional voice and my belief that well-formed music reflects the human condition. My works span opera, musical theatre, choral pieces, popular songs, jazz arrangements, and orchestral music, and I’m actively involved in teaching voice, directing ensembles, and writing books while mentoring students and building programs in Montana and beyond.

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Skills

Experience Level

Vocal
Expert
Composition
Expert

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Music Professor at University of Montana
October 8, 2025 - Present
I taught music at Gresham Union High School in Oregon and served as an Instructor of Music at Northern Montana College. Dr. Funk was Director of Choral Activities at Mount Union College in Ohio, and at The University of Montana. In retirement, he established a choral program at Montana Technological University in Butte, Montana. He continues composing music, teaching voice, and writing books.

Education

Doctor of Musical Arts at Arizona State University
October 8, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Dr. Gary Funk is a retired university educator who dedicated his professional life to choral music education, voice training, music composition and solo singing. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from The University of Montana, a Master of Science in Teaching Degree from Portland State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Arizona State University.
Bachelor of Music Education at The University of Montana
January 11, 2030 - October 12, 2025
Master of Science in Teaching at Portland State University
January 11, 2030 - October 12, 2025
Doctor of Musical Arts at Arizona State University
January 11, 2030 - October 12, 2025

Qualifications

Doctor of Musical Arts
October 8, 2025 - January 1, 2026
A prolific composer, his works span opera, musical theater, choral pieces, popular songs, jazz arrangements and music for orchestra. • Eleven Poems of Brian William Taylor – a series of songs that blend Western classical melodies, harmonies and forms with popular styles; full orchestrations available. • Songs of the Pandemic, A Song Cycle for Voice and Piano; full orchestrations available • Nine Songs – Voice and Piano – music in popular styles; full orchestrations available • Ruth – a two-act opera, orchestration and parts available • No Greater Love – a two-act musical, co-created with Sylvia Funk and Edward Morgan – orchestration and parts available • Quicksand – a two-act musical drama on autism, co-created with William Brian Taylor and Angela Billadeau – orchestration and parts available • Requiem for Native America (based on the words of Chief Black Elk) – a large-scale work for choir, baritone solo, Indian drum, and full orchestra • Earth Receive an Honored Guest – an elegy for string orchestra

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services
    uniE603 Gary Funk Composition/Orchestration Examples
    The attached files present a piano/vocal score and digital recording of my orchestration for "We Lie Abed in Brittany" is from Gary Funk's "Eleven Poems of Brian William Taylor".…
    paper Gary Funk Composition/Orchestration Example 1
    The attached file presents the piano/vocal score for "We Lie Abed in Brittany" is from Gary Funk's "Eleven Poems of Brian William Taylor".…