Bryant's music is "immediately attractive and accessible, with an emphasis on beauty of sound, simplicity of means, and
expression of feeling." (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Curtis Bryant composes and teaches in the Atlanta area. For the past two decades his music has received live performances steadily and has been heard across North America and in Europe, Asia and Australia in concerts, music festivals and on radio and television broadcasts, including National Public Radio's Performance Today. Bryant composes for virtually all concert media including chamber, art song, choral, orchestral, and opera. He has also composed music for numerous television series and specials including the award winning "Portrait of America" series produced by Turner Broadcasting and numerous programs produced by Georgia Public Television. He has garnered six Southern Regional Emmy Award nominations for original music from the National Television Academy, and numerous ASCAP Awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Bryant's three act opera "Zabette," based on a libretto by author Mary R. Bullard premiered in 1999 at Atlanta's landmark Rialto Theater in a full production by Georgia State University School of Music. The "Portrait" aria from "Zabette" has been performed on two separate occasions in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall by winners of the Center for Contemporary Opera Vocal Competition. Other major concert works and commissions include "FunFare" (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra); "Dinosaurs: A Primeval Symphony," (Savannah Symphony Orchestra); "Prelude and Fugue for Orchestra," (Macon Symphony Orchestra); and "Cantata for One Earth" for chorus and orchestra, commissioned by the United Nations Association, Atlanta Chapter for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the UN. Bryant has composed many chamber works including Sonata for Cello and Piano recorded by Dorothy and Cary Lewis on the album "Music by Southern Composers" (Gasparo). His "Letters from Jack" received a premiere by the acclaimed contemporary music ensemble, Thamyris (1994).

Bryant has also composed numerous works for young performers including "Theme and Variations" for string orchestra, published by Neil A. Kjos, which is a featured work on the Georgia Music Educators Association festival list for orchestra. Recent choral works for young performers include "Requiem for September Eleven" for chorus SSA, band and orchestra, commissioned by Ridgeview Middle School (2001) and "Jubilate Deo" for chorus SSA, band and orchestra, commissioned by Autrey Mill Middle School (2003). The requiem was also performed as part of the September 11, 2002 memorial services sponsored by the City of Atlanta and the United Way with Mayor Shirley Franklin, speaker, and was a featured work at the National Middle School Association convention (Atlanta, 2003).

Curtis Bryant has compositions published by Neil A. Kjos Music Publications (San Diego), Lux Nova Press (Atlanta), and Transcontinental Music Publications (New York). Bryant is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), the National Television Academy, the American Music Center, the American Composers Forum, the Southeastern Composers League, the Georgia Production Partnership, the Atlanta Creative Club, and Opera America.

For more information contact:

Curtis Bryant

5485 Lakeside Drive

Union City, GA 30291

(770) 964-3063

"The strength of [his] work lies...in its sensuous lyricism."
(Focus, 1992)

"Nationally recognized composer Curtis Bryant has succeeded in doing something that many composers have attempted with minimal success: he has created a fresh, exciting and vibrant work using folk tunes....Bryant's ability to score effectively for this ensemble creates a depth of sound that is impressive to both the musicians and audience members." (Band and Orchestra Product News, 2000)

Bryant's "poignant 'portrait aria' from his opera 'Zabette' and his three biblical songs aim at recapturing some of the melodious tonality 'contemporary' classical music of the twentieth century rebelled against." (Words UnLtd., 2003)

Recent premieres by Curtis Bryant include a song cycle setting of selected poems by Stephen Bluestone from the volume entitled "The Laughing Monkeys of Gravity" (Mercer University Press, 1995). Written for coloratura soprano and a chamber ensemble consisting of flute and piccolo, clarinet and alto saxophone, percussion, violin, cello and piano, the songs depict of some of the early film comedians, including Laurel & Hardy, Lou Costello, The Three Stooges and Charles Chaplin.

In other news, Curtis Bryant's original music score for the new documentary film "Briars in the Cottonpatch," produced by Faith Fuller and narrated by Ambassador Andrew Young, will be heard over two public television broadcasters in January, 2004. "Briars" will air in South Carolina on SCETV on January 8 at 10:00 PM and on Georgia Public Broadcasting, January 25 at 2:00 PM and January 26 at 10:00 PM. The film, which was featured recently at the Atlanta Film Festival and the Ojai Film Festival, traces the story of Clarence Jordan who founded the Koinonia Farm near Americus, Georgia, which became a focal point during the civil rights struggle of the 1950's and 60's. For more information on this film click here.