From MYO Student to Commissioned Composer: Alex McGrath Returns Home

When Alex McGrath first joined the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, he was just ten years old, stepping into a musical community that would help shape the rest of his life. This Sunday, February 8, McGrath returns not as a student, but as a commissioned composer, celebrating MYO’s 30th anniversary with the world premiere of Ever Into the Radiant Sky.

For McGrath, the moment is deeply personal.

“I joined MYO Orchestra B when I was ten, and by age twelve I was in Orchestra A,” he recalls. “As a middle schooler in what was essentially a high school orchestra, I was in awe of the teachers and the other students. Our concerts were exhilarating. We worked together to overcome challenging passages and stay together, in time and in tune.”

Beyond the music itself, it was the sense of belonging that set MYO apart.

“What made MYO different from every other music opportunity was the community,” McGrath says. “From shared memories in the green room at Hilbert Circle Theatre, to rehearsals at Christel House Academy and Broadway United Methodist Church, to community dinners from Second Helpings, it was clear how many people and organizations were working together to make something truly special.”

That spirit of collaboration and inclusion left a lasting impression. McGrath credits MYO not only with expanding his musical horizons through repertoire that spanned classical, jazz, and pop, but also with teaching him leadership, responsibility, and the importance of access to the arts.

“MYO’s mission is so crucial,” he says. “Making sure everyone has the opportunity to experience music, especially those who otherwise might not, and fostering a space where every person feels like a vital part of something bigger.”

Several mentors played pivotal roles in that journey. McGrath points to his private teacher, Shannon Crow, who encouraged him to join MYO in the first place, and to longtime MYO leader Betty Perry, whose passion and steady leadership left an indelible mark.

“Betty’s ability to guide and inspire a room full of kids was remarkable,” he says. “Her love for the community was infectious.”

It was during his MYO years that McGrath first began to imagine music as a professional path, particularly composition. At just 15, he had one of his own pieces performed, an experience that changed everything.

“That moment made composing feel like a real possibility,” he says. “I realized that while I loved performing, what truly energized me was creating.”

That realization led him to composition workshops, a growing catalog of original work, and eventually a career that spans orchestral music, film, and video game scores.

Now, that journey comes full circle with Ever Into the Radiant Sky, a piece written specifically for today’s MYO musicians. Dedicated to the memory of Betty Perry, the work is both a tribute and a story.

“The piece follows a songbird watching a forest awaken at dawn,” McGrath explains. “The light represents Betty’s legacy, the love and joy she poured into this community, which continues to shine through the music MYO makes every day.”

Drawing inspiration from film and video game soundtracks, including Hollow Knight, Journey, and The Mandalorian, McGrath crafted a work designed to be both expressive and rewarding for student musicians.

“I treat each part almost like an etude,” he says. “I want the music to be fun, idiomatic, and engaging. Something that challenges students while letting them show what they can do.”

At its heart, Ever Into the Radiant Sky is about joy, legacy, and collective effort. McGrath hopes students and their families feel the weight and warmth of that shared experience.

“This music only exists because of an entire community,” he says. “The performers, their families, the educators, and everyone who has invested in MYO. When you step back and see how much love has gone into this organization, it is incredibly moving.”

As for his advice to young musicians?

“Never lose sight of your dreams,” McGrath says. “Be passionate about the process, not just the result. If making music brings you joy, you will find your way.”

This Sunday, that joy and legacy will take the stage, as one MYO alumnus gives back to the community.