Bruce Craig Roter

Bruce Craig Roter (b. 1962) was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in Hauppauge, Long Island. Roter's earliest compositions were chamber works written for family gatherings (his grandfather was a violinist and his brother a cellist). Formal studies began in 1979 at the Juilliard School's preparatory division where Roter studied composition with Craig Shuller and music theory with Bruce Adolphe. Roter continued his education at the Eastman School of Music where he studied composition with Joseph Schwantner and Samuel Adler, and orchestration with Christopher Rouse.  Roter received a B.M. from the Eastman School of Music (1984), a M.A. in Musicology from Yale University (1985), a M.A. in Composition from the State University of New York at Stony Brook (1987), and a Ph.D. in Composition/Music Theory from Rutgers University (1992). Roter often finds inspiration in world events and social issues. His A Camp David Overture (Prayer for Peace) was inspired by the Camp David Peace Accords and is dedicated to the signatories of that historic peace initiative--former President Jimmy Carter, former Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat, and former Prime Minister Menachem Begin.  The 2006 Washington DC premiere brought together diplomats from all over the world, including Egypt and Israel. Roter's music has been performed throughout the U.S.  It has also been webcast, televised and docuented by PBS.  Additionally, Roter often appears on radio, television or in pre-concert lectures  to introduce audiences to his music. Roter's publishers include MMB Music, Inc., Transcontinental Music, and Coho Music Publications. His Three Short Songs (on poems by Judah al-Harizi) has been recorded by the Milken Archive of American Jewish Music Series. A music educator as well as a composer, Dr. Roter has taught at Rutgers University, Jersey City State College, Mesa Community College, Linfield College, and Skidmore College. Roter is currently Associate Professor of Music at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. He resides in Albany with his wife, Monique, and their three daughters.