Stephen Newby
Professor of Music; Director of Composition; Director of the Center for Worship
Email: newbys@spu.edu
Office: Crawford 207
Education: BA, Madonna University, 1984; MM, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 1987; MA, Seattle Pacific University, 2019; DMA, University of Michigan, 1994. At SPU since 2004.
Dr. Stephen Newby is a composer, conductor, gospel/jazz vocalist, and pianist. He is a native of Detroit, Michigan, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music Education and Flute Performance from Madonna College in Livonia, Michigan. He received a Master of Music in Jazz Composition and Arranging from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. There, his studies in composition were under the supervision of Robert Sutton, Frederick Tillis, Jeff Holmes, and Robert Stern. He returned to Michigan to complete his Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition degree at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. There, he studied with William Albright, Michael Daugherty, George Wilson, Fred Lerdahl, and Pulitzer Prize winners William Bolcom and Leslie Bassett.
In addition to directing the Center for Worship, Dr. Newby serves as director for the SPU Gospel Choir and the Worship Arts Ensemble. He has served as a worship pastor for more than 25 years in Michigan, Massachusetts, Washington, and California.
Selected Commissions
- 2012 Prayer Song (trumpet, string orchestra and Soprano solo)
- 2010 Blessed are the Poor in Spirit (Music for John Perkins Film)
- 2010 Our Enduring Spirit (for Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Choir)
Selected Works
- 2005 Rondo Oratorio (chamber orchestra, SATB soloists and chorus)
- 1998 Montage for Martin (chamber orchestra, rhythm section and chamber singers)
- 2005 Precious Lord (choir, string orchestra and alto solo)
- 2004 Gospel Cantata for Easter (choir/brass quintet and rhythm section)
- 2000 Testimonials (woodwind quintet and choir)
Published Recordings
- 2012 TKTG: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
- 2010 TKTG: Psalms, Laments and Meditations
- 2009 The Kingdom and The Gospel
- 2007 We Have A Home
- 2005 Promise Keepers Live in America
Please view Dr. Newby's C.V. (PDF) for additional information.
Listen
Faculty Performers: Universal Language Project
Prayer Song, by Stephen Michael Newby
Chérie Hughes, Soprano; Brian Chin, Trumpet