Dr. Tyler Harrison is an American composer, concert pianist, and music educator. His symphonic works have been performed by the Longmont Symphony, Indiana Wind Symphony, Franklin & Marshall College Wind Symphony, University of Central Oklahoma Wind Symphony, Montana State Wind Symphony, Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Messiah University Wind Ensemble, Pinnacle Winds, University of Utah Wind Symphony, San Francisco State University Wind Ensemble, Contra Costa Wind Symphony, University of Colorado Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, University of Arizona Wind Symphony, University of Puget Sound Wind Symphony, Manhattan School of Music Philharmonia, and the CalArts Chamber Orchestra.
Dr. Tyler Harrison
Harrison has completed two symphonies since March 2021. His Symphony No. 3 “The Garden of Tears” was premiered in 2023 by the Longmont Symphony Orchestra. Symphony No. 3 was commissioned by the Music and Moore Foundation for a two-symphony concert on mental health with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. The wind version was commissioned by five wind ensembles, receiving its premiere with the Franklin & Marshall College Wind Symphony in April 2025.
Harrison’s Symphony No. 2: The Song of the Mountains was commissioned by a consortium of eight wind ensembles in the United States and Canada, receiving several performances along with its finale, Como Canons. His most recent work, Three North American Landscapes, was commissioned by a consortium led by Montana State University and their music director, Nathan Stark. It received its world premiere in October 2025. Additional projects include commissions for a saxophone sonata for Nick May and a cello sonata for Khari Joyner. He is currently completing his Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Wind Ensemble, which will receive its premiere in May 2026.
His music employs large contrapuntal forms, including "cloud" canons, double canons, and canonic fugues. His contrapuntal writing is used to create large sound masses, where established themes communicate to each other in moving clouds of sound. These reflect the towering mountains, open sky, and sounds of nature where he lives in Montana.
Dedicated to music education, Tyler has taught private lessons in piano, composition, and music theory for the past fifteen years. He specializes in teaching music to neurodivergent populations, particularly those with autism.
In the past, his piano students have placed in international competitions and received state honors on the Music Teachers’ Association of California Certificate of Merit (CM) Exams and ABRSM. He has also taught composition at the college level.
Harrison earned his D.M.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder, M.M. from Manhattan School of Music, and B.M. from University of Montana. His mentors include David Maslanka, Carter Pann, Daniel Kellogg, Kevin Beavers, Susan Botti, J. Mark Stambaugh, Charles Nichols, and Patrick C. Williams. He studied piano with Steven Hesla, Christopher Hahn, and Lisa Moore.