Society of Peabody Alumni

Citation for the Peabody Alumni Achievement Award Recognizing

Outstanding Contributions to Music in Maryland

Presented to

Ronald J. Gretz

April 23, 2017

Ronald Gretz, today we recognize and congratulate you for the breadth and depth of your contributions to Maryland’s musical life.

You came to Peabody in 1962 to study voice, and received your Bachelor of Music in 1966. You studied opera production at Florida State University and then returned to get your Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Peabody in 1970.  

Since then you have shared your knowledge with students in Maryland and far beyond by teaching music theory at the Community College of Baltimore County for 41 years before retiring and being named Professor Emeritus; and by writing the theory textbook Music Language and Fundamentals, published by McGraw Hill, which is used throughout the U.S. and Canada.

You’ve also taught at Peabody, returning in 1995 for five years as an opera coach. In 2012, you were again appointed to the vocal faculty as a vocal coach where you remain as a part-time faculty member.

Opera lovers in Maryland are particularly grateful for your impact. This year marks your 34th season as artistic director and conductor of the Annapolis Opera; you have held this position with both the Chesapeake and Harford Opera companies as well.

In addition to your work in opera, you have conducted musicals with Cock-pit-in-Court and various area dinner theaters; and in 2004 you founded the Maryland Philharmonic Orchestra where you continued as artistic director and conductor until 2008.

You can also be found every week at the University Baptist Church in Baltimore where you have been the organist and choir director for more than 25 years.

Your work has had a substantial impact on the people of Maryland and makes us proud to have you as part of the Peabody tradition of excellence in the musical arts. The Society of Peabody Alumni is honored to confer upon you the Peabody Alumni Achievement Award Recognizing Outstanding Contributions to Music in Maryland.