About Stephen
Stephen Mitton is a composer, educator, and performer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He holds a master's degree in composition from Arizona State University and has written for a wide variety of genres ranging from contemporary dance to full orchestra. Stephen is the recipient of numerous awards and grants, and his string quartet, Caricatures, was recently selected as a finalist in ASCAP’s Morton Gould Young Composers’ Awards. He has received commissions from various performers across the country, as well as several groups and organizations in the American southwest, including the Arizona State University Bands and Orchestras, the Arizona State University BioDesign Institute, Utah State University, and the Arizona Flute Society.
Stephen is also an active performer, having received a bachelor’s degree in cello performance at Utah State University where he studied chamber music with the Fry Street Quartet. He has participated in master classes with such groups as the Emerson, Ying, and Brentano String Quartets, and has given performances with numerous chamber and orchestral groups throughout Utah and Arizona. Mitton is also the founder of the Logan Quintet, which released its first studio album in March of 2018.
Stephen is working toward his Doctorate in composition at the University of Michigan.
Recent Performances
Apr 14, 2019
Plastic Ocean: Communicating Crisis Through the Arts
Premiere of my third string quartet, Currents (commissioned by Amy Thacker), alongside a narrative drama about plastics pollution in Earth's oceans. Performed at Utah State University.
Nov 16, 2018
The Ear: A Composer Battle
Performance of Caricatures at the DiMenna Center, NYC in The Ear: A Composer Battle.
Jul 07, 2018
Oregon Bach Festival Composers' Symposium
Premiere of Albatross for Pierrot ensemble at the Oregon Bach Festival Composers' Symposium in Eugene, OR.
Oct 21, 2017
Flutes of a Feather
Premiere of my flute trio, Songs of the Sonoran at the Rio Salado Audubon Society. Commissioned by the Arizona Flute Society.
Apr 26, 2017
Science Exposed
Premiere of Stages, a "neuro-classical" composition about the effects of Alzheimer's disease, written in collaboration with Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute.
Performances at 6:00 and 6:30 in the Biodesign Atrium at ASU.
May 24, 2017
ASU Composition Studio Recital
Premier of Parhelion septet for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Percussion in Katzin Concert Hall, Arizona State University.
Cullan Lucas, conductor
Feb 10, 2017
UNK New Music Festival XVI
Performance of Zapateado for Trumpet and Piano at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Tim Farrell, trumpet
Thomas Prentice, piano
Nov 16, 2016
The Fire of Emerging Artists
Premiere of Chamber Symphony by the ASU Chamber Orchestras. Cullan Lucas, conductor.
Jun 11, 2016
7:30 PM
Chamber Music Institute Composers' Concert
Premiere of String Quartet No. 2 "Caricatures" at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Apr 23, 2016
12:00 PM
Phoenix Art Museum Concert
Performance of Cognitive Landscape for String Quartet at the Phoenix Art Museum.
Apr 18, 2016
7:30 PM
ASU Composition Studio Recital
Premiere of Cognitive Landscape for String Quartet at Arizona State University.