Stephen Guyer
(303) 683-3338 | Official Website
Listed under Conductors.
Stephen Guyer is a whirlwind conductor - the music doesn't just fly, it SOARS, lifting the spirits with it. Whether it occurs in a choral festival, clinic, church or workshop, an orchestral performance or an educational environment, Mr. Guyer brings -- and has always brought -- the best out of the music, the
performers and the audiences.
A man of breadth and diverse interests, Mr. Guyer is equally at home with the artistic matters of inner music as well as the practicalities of keeping the show in business. Indeed, he sports an MBA in finance along with his impressive music credentials.
Whether displaying his flair as a conductor or instrumentalist (organ, piano, guitar and trombone) or orchestrating a financial plan to guide a board of directors, his gifts, backed up with training and experience, offer as much to music organizations as they do to the corporate world where his services as a finance consultant are also in demand.
An active church musician since 1970, Stephen's leadership has been enjoyed by many churches of differing denominations, from Baptist to Episcopalian. He has formerly served as Director of Music for St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Within the academic community, he has provided musical leadership for Denver's Metropolitan
State College and the University of Denver. His emphasis in church choral music is always quality across a wide variety of styles and always within a context of joyous expression.
Presently, Mr. Guyer is taking on the challenge of restoring a once venerable institution, the Denver Chamber Orchestra & Chorus which had been in a six year hiatus. As Music Director and Executive Director, he and his team are preparing to launch a first season in the fall of 2002.
His experience has included directorship of the music program (1992-99) at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado where he administered the entire music program for the church including conducting the adult choir at two services weekly, supervising three children's choirs, one bell choir, directing a wind ensemble, swing band, and preparing and conducting semi-annual major works with orchestra as well as
expanded musical forces on Christmas Eve and Easter. There the music program grew from one adult choir consisting of about 15 people, to over eight ensembles with volunteer leadership.
Total participation in the music program reached over 150. The adult choir grew to over 40 participants on a weekly basis and the semi-annual major works attracted an additional 200-300 potential parishioners per service.
He also developed and maintained a comprehensive database of repertoire and schedules specific to the 3-year common lectionary, authored a monthly newsletter for the music department, coordinated all volunteers and rehearsal schedules, performed or coordinated all maintenance of instruments and sound system equipment.
The church also hosted a variety of concerts each year providing a stimulating and specific invitation to the community for involvement with the church. Performers included: The Chamber Orchestra of the West formerly the Denver Chamber Orchestra), Patrick Maraz (keyboardist for Moody Blues), Singers Master Chorale, Bell Choirs from other Methodist churches across the country, the Isle of Mull Bagpipe band, and the Denver Brass. The church also presented an annual melodrama and secular musical performance.
In a similar position (1987-89) at Washington Park United Methodist Church in Denver, he administered the entire music program for the church, including conducting the adult choir and hand bell choirs. Initiated a 12 event concert series, which included 2 performances per year with orchestra.
Since 1985, Stephen has been the Associate Conductor of The Robert Penn Chorale, a professional chorus whose purpose is to record quality choral works with an emphasis on smaller works with orchestra by major composers.
The group has produced one recording, The Time, The Day, The Season. He also oversees all business, manufacturing, and promotional activities of the organization.
As Asst Conductor (1983) of the University of Denver's Symphonic Choir, he handled traditional administrative duties in addition to preparing the 90 voice chorus for a presentation of Mendelssohn's Elijah.
Other director positions included Christ the Savior Lutheran Church, Aurora, Colorado, Church of the Master American Baptist, Denver, Colorado, Metropolitan State College, Denver, Colorado, and a stint as public school band director at Lathrop Junior High School, Santa Ana, California.
In the popular genre, played organ, piano, guitar and/or trombone with various small ensembles. In addition to concert, club, and studio work in America, he also performed in Hong Kong, India, Africa, and Japan.
In the Business and Corporate world, Mr. Guyer is known for his insights and abilities in financial management. Having held corporate positions, he now owns Guyer Management Assistance, Inc. through which he provides consultant services to businesses.
An article in the Denver Business Journal deftly illustrates how he brings key insights from both fields together.
Credentials:
Post Graduate work toward the Doctor of Musical Arts (conducting)
The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Maryland.
1983 MASTER OF ARTS (Summa cum laude, 4.0 GPA)
Concentration: Conducting; University of Denver, Denver, Colorado
1982 MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (Magna cum laude)
Concentration: Finance; University of Denver, Denver, Colorado
1980 BACHELOR OF ARTS (Magna cum laude)
Concentration: Piano Performance; Metropolitan State College, Denver,
Colorado
1973 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Major: Psychology; McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas
