Peter's profile
Described by the Baltimore Sun as having “a refined sense of melodic arcs and harmonic motion,” Peter Dayton “continually creates fresh and interesting sounds” (Opera News) in his compositions. His works have been performed around the world, primarily in the Americas and Europe. He hopes to engage with his community through concertizing and performance opportunities that support local musicians and create new artistic connections.
Peter’s creative process often involves using visual art or poetry as the spark for an artistic response. His works responding to contemporary painters have generated friendships and connections across the globe, from England to Peru. Peter’s passion for literature has resulted in over a dozen settings of poems in art songs and choral works. In addition to his settings of modern American poets, Peter wrote the libretto for his own chamber opera May She | She May about the poet Gertrude Stein’s first love affair.
Peter’s discography includes All in the Sound: New Vocal Music by Peter Dayton (Navona Records, 2023), Stories Out of Cherry Stems: Katie Procell sings works by Peter Dayton (Navona, 2022), his 2020 self-published album Aspects of Landscape: Music inspired by the world of John Hitchens, and Notes to Loved Ones: New Music for Strings and Piano (Navona, 2018). Selections of his choral music and orchestral music appear on various compilation albums by Ablaze Records. Peter holds a Bachelor’s Degree (summa cum laude) from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s Degree in Composition from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.
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