Ryan Morgan, a composer, performer, and educator based in London, is renowned for his commitment to pushing musical boundaries. Graduating with a BMus in Music with First-Class Honours from the University of Birmingham, Ryan specialised in electroacoustic (studio) composition under Scott Wilson, and solo vocal performance at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire under mentor Johnathan Gunthorpe.
Continuing his studies with a full scholarship, Ryan pursued an MMus in Creative Practice at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he excelled, achieving a distinction. Through practice research at Goldsmiths, Ryan discovered a passive resistance within his work, leading him to re-evaluate established Western compositional frameworks.
Collaborating with theatre students and performers at Goldsmiths provided fertile ground for this transformation, as Ryan explored the ethical and sustainable dimensions of performance. This experience sparked a deeper understanding of his role as a composer and performer, prompting him to question traditional notions of virtuosity and confront the dichotomy between the sacrificing performer and the gaining performer.
Ryan's practice has garnered recognition from leading UK-based organisations and ensembles. Recent commissions include works for the Birmingham Opera Company, London Sinfonietta, and Terra Invisus. In addition, his work has been acknowledged by the London Mozart Players, being the first recipient of LMP's Samuel Coleridge Taylor Prize.
Background
Performance and Production History
University of Birmingham - UBGnS
Captain Corcoran - HMS Pinafore (2018)
Sir Rupert Murgatroyd - Ruddigore (2019) (GnS Fest Winner)
Florian - Princess Ida (2020)
Assistant Director - The Mikado (2020)
University of Birmingham - Final Recital (2021)
Programme of works by Living British/ Black British composers including Shirley J. Thompson and Hannah Kendall (Grade = 1st)
Goldsmiths, University of London
Vocalist, Tenor Recorder, Conductor, Composer - Co-Exist (2021)
Vocalist with electronics - Expansion for Voice and Harp (2022)
Sound and Music Summer School
Various premieres of new works (2021, 2022, 2023)
The Vaults
Dramaturg - its not the sea to drink - a hyper pop opera by Cat Winter (2023) (Award Nomination)
Actor/Performer, Interactive Sound Design - Episomia (2021)
Works
Duos and Small Ensemble
Phantom Pyres (2023) - String Quartet (Premiered by the London Mozart Players)
JAMMS on Fore Street - an abstract short film (2023) - Alto Sax, Cello, Glockenspiel and Fixed media (Commissioned by London Sinfonietta)
AUTO 1 (2022) - for Trio (Commissioned and premiered by Terra Invisus)
Expansion (2022) - Voice, Harp and Live Electronics (created in collaboration with Miriam Adefris - Harpist)
Gesture Songs (2021) - Voice, Flute and Piano
Voice and Stage
Conflict in Numbers (2023) - Baritone and Classical Accordion (Commissioned by the Birmingham Opera Company)
Notes from Another Lockdown (2021) - Baritone and Recorded Voices
Descending a North Road (2021) - Baritone and Bedroom Instruments (Tenor Recorder, Melodica, Viola, Keyboard)
Time/Place (2021)- Voice and Max/MSP
Solo
AUTO 2 (2022) - for Solo Performer and Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
AUTO 3 (2022) - for Solo Performer
Transcendence (2022) - for Solo Melodica
Electroacoustic
Human and Computer (2021) - Multichannel Piano and Max/MSP
i just wanted you to know (2021) - Stereo Fixed Media
Images of Conflict in Numbers. Performers Nicholas Morris (Baritone) and Miloš Milivojević (Classical Accordion)
Recording of JAMMS on Fore Street. Performers Meera Priyanka Raja (Cello) and Sophia Elger (Saxophone)
