Ryan Murray: Using music to build the teacher-student connection

For Ryan Murray of Scarborough, Maine, music is a medium that bridges the teacher-student connection.

Murray recently graduated from the University of Maine with a bachelor’s in music education and a vocal concentration. He is a strong proponent of the importance of music education.

“I definitely think it’s a little bit niche. It’s not something that you hear about all across campus,” Murray said. “When I tell somebody that I’m a music ed major, they’re like ‘oh, that’s cool.’ They don’t really think about it.”

He believes that music offers a unique and vulnerable experience by allowing students to think critically about the music they are engaging in, something he feels the Division of Music in UMaine’s School of Performing Arts focuses on.

“I think they’ve emphasised it in a way where they understand that the education portion is the most important part,” said Murray. “You want to give your students a great education, you want to connect with them and make their lives better. People might think that it’s mostly a music thing, but it’s really almost like a dual degree in music and education.”

For Murray, music provides students with skills such as teamwork, cooperation and problem solving skills which are benefits that aren’t widely discussed. It also teaches students about history, language and culture through a unique lens. Murray believes every student should feel like they can succeed in the classroom, and wants these benefits to be talked about in schools. 

“The music field in schools is surrounded by many assumptions and false pretenses, and the more we can have discussions like this with students, the more we can help change the image of what a music classroom truly can be,” Murray said.

In the fall, he had the opportunity to work with choral students at the Orono Middle School. Murray wanted to bring out the best in these students and was able to apply the skills he learned at UMaine in a real classroom setting. He realized that holding students to a high standard and teaching them proper technique builds confidence in them and makes them capable of doing hard things.

Murray had been a member of University Singers, UMaine’s auditioned choir, since his first year at UMaine. With both of his parents having been in the group, this heavily influenced his decision to audition. 

This year, he was appointed one of the two assistant conductors for University Singers, working directly under the Director Francis Vogt. 

“He is always willing, even when I sometimes don’t give direction until the very last moment of what I need,” said Vogt, director of choral activities and instructor of voice. “He’s very calm and gets the job done, there is no drama because he is confident in his skills, and I think that gives confidence in the people who sing for him.”

In March, Murray conducted the fourth movement of Johannes Brahms’ “Ein Deutsches Requiem” for the group’s spring concerts and annual spring tour, which took the group across Maine and to Quebec. 

“Being able to do this was such a helpful experience,” Murray said. “Most college students don’t get to be able to try out all these things you’ve been learning these past couple of years on people that you’re totally comfortable with.”

Murray was also the music director for The Maine Steiners, an all male acapella group that comes out of University Singers. This year was his second in the position, having taken on the role in 2024. 

Murray was in charge of selecting the group’s repertoire, scheduling and running rehearsals and teaching the singers good vocal technique. He instructs them like how he would any student, holding them to high standards and always encourages them to give their best.

In addition to his work in University Singers and The Maine Steiners, Murray has participated in Camerata Dirigo, a chamber octet based in Orono. He has sung bass in the group since its inception in January 2024. Last summer, Murray received a text from Camerata Dirigos founder Micah Thurston asking him if he would be interested in conducting Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem.” Being one of the most well known pieces of choral music, Murray graciously accepted.

“It was all new,” said Murray. “Even just running a choral rehearsal I hadn’t really done yet. I’d done it in Steiners, but that’s totally different.”

For Murray, it was a surreal experience to conduct his first full-length concert. With friends and family in the audience to support him, the nerves seemed to melt away and he was able to enjoy the moment.  

“It was really satisfying and rewarding to be able to do this,” said Murray. 

When asked what’s on the horizon, Murray said he has a strong desire to be a high school music teacher. He feels this is an important time for students to develop a love of music that they will want to continue in college, and finds they want to be challenged to grow as musicians. Murray will also be student teaching in the fall.

He plans on eventually obtaining a master’s degree in music to further his skills and knowledge. For Murray, his focus is always on how he can provide the best education possible for his students. 

Story by Christian Wallace, news intern

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu