This fall the Shepherd University Department of Music inaugurates the Shepherd Music Salon Series in the Walker Horton Shipley Recital Hall of the Frank Center.

The first event in the series will be American pianist Matthew McCright on Friday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. On the program are Images, Book 1 by Claude Debussy, Sonata for Piano by Witold Lutoslawski and It Takes a Long Time to Become a Good Composer by Timothy Andres. The work by Andres is sponsored by the American Composers Forum through its Encore Program, supporting repeat performances of new works. The recital is free and open to the public.

McCright has performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific as piano soloist and chamber musician. He is the recipient of numerous awards, grants and prizes. McCright’s festival participation includes Bang on a Can at MassMOCA, Printing House Festival of New Music, Late Music Festival, Hampden-Sydney Chamber Music Festival, Kod’ly Institute, Perilous Night, Fringe, Spark Festival of Electronic Music, Seward Arts, Duquesne University’s Summer Music Institute, Music 2000, CCM Village Opening and the Minnesota Composers Alliance. A member of Mu Phi Epsilon, American Music Center, American Composers Forum and Chamber Music America.

McCright has performed in collaboration with a variety of ensembles, including Ensemble 61, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, dal niente, Wild and Wulliman, La Bonne Chanson, Gypsy Hocket, Renegade Ensemble, Zeitgeist, Taipei Trio, Balkanicus, Tempus Fugit, New Sound, New Century Piano Duo, Dixie Five, Composer’s Ensemble, Westminster Triptych, WC Jazz Ensemble and with countless chamber music groups.

McCright received his doctor of musical arts degree in piano performance from the University of Minnesota and master of music degree in piano from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. He received a bachelor of music degree in piano performance, magna cum laude, from Westminster College. McCright is a member of the piano faculty of Carleton College. His recent projects include the 2009 CD release of Second Childhood and a 2011 release of the piano works of Minnesota composer Gene Gutche.

McCright is curator of the Open Doors music series, partnering performing artists with charitable causes, where he is pianist-in-residence.

He created the Composer’s Project, a nationwide program featuring emerging composers, and has been featured in articles in the NewMusicBox magazine, Tutti magazine and Voice.

For more information call 304-876-5555 or visit www/shepherd.edu/musicweb/.