Phillip Magnuson is Professor of Music at the University of Dayton. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University, a Master of Music in Composition from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and has studied at the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy. In 1985, he received the Outstanding Teaching Award from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Magnuson is Coordinator of Theory and Composition Studies and teaches first year theory (MUS 111 and MUS 112) and second year theory (MUS 211 and MUS 212), composition, upper level theory courses, string chamber music, and viola.
Dr. Magnuson has won composition awards from Duke University, the National Federation of Music Clubs, Broadcast Music, Inc., the Cornish Institute, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and is a member of ASCAP. He is published through Shawnee Press, Inc. He has had numerous performances of his compositions throughout the United States, which range from solo vocal and chamber music to choral and orchestra and band works.
In addition to his composing and academic duties, Dr. Magnuson is the principal violist in the Springfield Symphony Orchestra .