Composer Bruce Saylor, a native of Philadelphia, holds two degrees from Julliard, where he studied with Hugo Weisgall and Roger Sessions. Under a Fulbright Grant, he studied with Goffredo Petrassi at the Academia di Santa Cecilia in Rome. And in the doctoral program of the City University of New York Graduate Center, he worked with George Perle. An award-winning teacher, he has taught at Julliard, at New York University, and since 1979 as professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College and at the CUNY Graduate Center.

Three pieces in Saylor's catalogue owe their composition to the passionate musician and physician, Dr. James Ty, Jr. They are "State Trumpets" for brass, organ, and timpani, "Carillon Te Deum" for hand bells, and the anthem "Eternal Light, Shine in My Heart."

Saylor has received two National Endowment for the Arts fellowship-grants, the Rodgers and Hammerstein Scholarship and other prizes from Julliard, the Charles Ives Scholarship and later the Music Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a Mellon Foundation Professorship, the Guggenheim Fellowship,and a major award for composition from the Ingram Merrill Foundation.

He has written four operas. His third was "Orpheus Descending," set to a libretto by J. D. McClatchy and based on the play of Tennessee Williams. The work was produced by Lyric Opera of Chicago in 1994, where he was Brena and Lee Freeman Composer in Residence. His fourth opera, "The Scrimshaw Violin," set to a libretto by Jonathan Levi, was produced by Nine Circles Chamber Theater at the 92nd Street Y in New York in 2001.

He has been commissioned and performed by the San Francisco, Houston, Nashville, Yale symphonies, the Musica Viva of New York Chorus and Orchestra; and the American: Composers Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. He is the composer of nine oratorios and cantatas. He has written elaborate· ceremonial music for the American visits of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, the investiture of Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold at the National Cathedral, the Second Inaugural of President Clinton, and celebrations at the American Cathedral in Paris, the Bibliotheque Nationale, Grand Central terminal, Rheims Cathedral, and others. He wrote the music and arrangements for two best-selling CDs of Jessye, Norman, "Jessye Norman at Notre Dame" and "In the Spirit." And he made concert arrangements for "The Sacred Ellington" which Miss Norman has performed throughout the world. The evening-long presentation was given its American premiere last March at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City as part of the Miss Norman’s “Honor!” Festival produced by Carnegie Hall.

Saylor has written much chamber music, choral music and music for solo voice. Four of his vocal chamber works have been recorded by mezzo soprano Constance Beavon.

James Ty, Jr. (1959-1989) was a graduate of The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut; Stanford University where he pursued studies in Medicine and Music; and the Graduate School of Medicine at New York University.

A thoughtful and caring physician, Jim maintained a vibrant medical practice in NYC. In times of great need and confusion, his true calling as a healer bloomed through his care for many afflicted with AIDS in addition to his own difficult illness. He was one of the first physicians to speak out on a major network news show about AIDS and tried to dispel unfounded ideas surrounding the disease.

Jim's true north was his passion for music. It enveloped him twenty-four/seven. Living in New York City, Jim pursued his interests by singing in the choir at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church services and through his attendance in countless musical venues. His musical journey began through the guidance of his mother, in study and an organ recital with John Walker during his studies at Stanford, and later through his friendship with his long-time teacher, Dr. Zoltan Ovary - a Patron of the Arts. Theirs was a unique friendship borne from common passions for music, art, and literature.

Jim's enthusiasm for music was best shared with dear friends, family, and anyone who would join him in his journeys of discovery. He wanted us to feel, see, hear, and experience the joy of his passions together. He built memories through a language he knew well to reach our hearts ..... music. Friends and family will remember Jim with much love and joy each time a beautiful passage is sung, played, or spoken in performance or in meditation .... they know he is listening too.