GIA Publications - Artist

Ray Liebau (b. 1937) has college degrees in piano performance, has performed as soloist and accompanist, is a published composer and arranger, and has played commercial music since his early teen years. For thirty years he taught piano and composition at the University of Mississippi, where he was selected as the Outstanding Teacher in 1993. In the summer of 1999, Ray and his wife, Ruth, retired to the Hot Springs area of Arkansas. Their most recent musical project is a recital of songs by George Gershwin which they have performed successfully at colleges in the mid-South.

Ray has composed virtually all his life. His earliest compositions were for piano, but his complete works include songs, three musicals, pieces for jazz ensemble, and a number of choral works. His greatest musical association was with Dr. Jerry Jordan, then Director of Choral Activities at the University of Mississippi. Together with the choir they shared almost fifteen years of success. Ray’s most popular work to emerge is his arrangement of “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands,” published by Walton Music.