Biography•Gregory Hamilton

Before joining the Music Department at Concordia College, Gregory Hamilton was the Executant Senior Lecturer of Cello at the University of Otago in New Zealand. Prior to this he taught at Illinois State University for ten years where he was a founding member of the Ricard Piano Trio. While in New Zealand, Dr Hamilton made many solo appearances, including frequent recital tours and a concerto engagement under the baton of Werner Andreas Albert. Called “a master of the instrument” by the Otago Daily Times, Hamilton’s playing was heard throughout the country on Concert-FM Radio New Zealand broadcasts. He also served as president of the String Teachers Association of New Zealand Aotearoa and was a national adjudicator for the Chamber Music New Zealand competition.

Hamilton is a former member of the Columbus Symphony and has toured and recorded in the cello section of the Houston Symphony. Highlights from his extensive international travels include live chamber music broadcasts on German Public Radio of Cologne, participation in the William Pleeth masterclasses at the Aldeburgh Festival, chamber music performances at the Festival dei due Mondi (Italy) and Canterbury Music Festival (England), and serving as principal cello of the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Charleston, South Carolina and the Festival dei due Mondi in Italy.

Dr. Hamilton received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas, which culminated in a lecture recital on the origins of cello literature and performance. Prior to this he was a student of Bernard Greenhouse at Rutgers University, Raya Garbousova at Northern Illinois University (Master of Music degree) and Richard Kapuscinski at the Oberlin Conservatory for undergraduate study. Current areas of research include cello pedagogy and performances of works for baroque cello. In 2009, he will record works of Hollywood composers for the Summit Records label.

Listen to Greg play:

Fond Recollections

Beckoning Condensed

Dr. Hamilton's paper on  "The Origins of Solo Cello Literature and Performance"