Michael Glasgow
Michael J. Glasgow is originally from Michigan and now lives in North Carolina. He holds B.A. degrees in music theory/composition, and in journalism; as well as a Master of Church Music degree from Concordia University Wisconsin as a rare double-emphasis student, in both choral and handbell music. In 2017, he made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting his Requiem for choir and orchestra, on his 40th birthday. Five years later, he returned to the iconic venue to conduct the world premiere of his Gloria for choir and orchestra.
In addition to working as a full-service freelance conductor/clinician, composer/arranger and music instructor, Michael conducts the Tar River Chorus (Rocky Mount, North Carolina) and serves as Bass Section Leader for the North Carolina Master Chorale. He is a dynamic, energizing conductor who connects well with people and music, and as such is sought after for conducting engagements throughout the country and abroad.
Summer 2013 marked his international conducting debut, with the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain Ringing Residency Week in Sheffield, England; a return appearance was booked for 2015, followed by one for 2017. He has also conducted in the Eastern Caribbean, Canada, Hong Kong, Austria, Iceland, and Singapore (where he serves as a Principal Guest Conductor for the Ministry of Bellz).
A composer heralded for his “abundant melodic gift” (New York Concert Review), Michael keeps busy his own projects, has fulfilled more than 60 commissions, and has been honored with numerous composition awards for organ, handbell and choral works. His first published choral piece, Welcome the King (an SATB carol accompanied by solo viola), won the 2009 VocalEssence “Welcome Christmas” composition contest. In 2013, Michael was commissioned to compose Concerto for Castings, a multi-movement symphonic work featuring a virtuosic part for a solo percussionist on a handbell-keyboard instrument.
Michael is proud to be an integral part in the development of new handbell events, having served as inaugural conductor for the annual Anthornis events for advanced ringers in Minneapolis, and its counterpart, Anthornis North in Fargo. He is a member of ASCAP, American Composers Forum, Mensa, and several other professional organizations. Additional information and samples of Michael’s work may be found at www.michaeljglasgow.com and on YouTube: @MichaelJGlasgow.
