B.Mus., Whitworth College (1975)
M.Mus. in Choral Conducting, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (1977)

Mark Riese's choral works were performed in Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera House of New York, and in major concert halls nationwide. His arrangement of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: A Choral Fantasy, published by E.C. Schirmer in Boston, was filmed for the HBO Special Homosexuality in America...Pride and Prejudice and has since been performed by dozens of choruses and orchestras across the country, including the Chicago and Boston Symphony Orchestras. Many of his arrangements are featured on various recordings of the New York City Gay Men's Chorus.

Riese was a member of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop and at the time of his death was working on a new musical entitled Judy, Marilyn & Me. He provided numerous full-length musical revues for various cruise ships during his 15-year career. Although primarily noted for his inventive arrangements of standards, hymns and show tunes, he was commissioned by the New York City Gay Men's Chorus for his first original choral work in 1986. The composition, entitled Then and Now, was subsequently premiered in Carnegie Hall in December of that year.

In addition to composing and arranging, Riese was an accomplished pianist, singer and choral director.

He made his home in New York City with his partner James Flatt, who also died of complications from AIDS one month before Mark.

—Gary Miller

WORKS:

Then and Now
for: men's chorus
date: 1986

Judy, Marilyn & Me
for: musical theatre work
date: 1989 (incomplete at time of death)
note: possible production underway for 2002 in Las Vegas

Numerous choral arrangements, especially for men's chorus

PUBLISHED ARRANGEMENTS:

A Choral Fantasy: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
for: TTBB or SATB with chamber orchestra or keyboard
published: E.C. Schirmer

I Saw Three Ships
for: TTBB or SATB with chamber orchestra or keyboard
published: E.C. Schirmer

What Child Is This
for: TTBB or SATB with chamber orchestra or keyboard
published: E.C. Schirmer

Christmas Comes Anew
for: TTBB or SATB with chamber orchestra or keyboard
published: E.C. Schirmer

UNCOMPLETED WORKS:
Unknown

WRITINGS:
Unknown

DISCOGRAPHY:
Unknown (probably some arrangements in gay chorus collections)

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Unknown

PERFORMING RIGHTS AFFILIATION:
BMI

RESOURCES:
E. C. Schirmer Music Co./Ione Press
ECS Publishing
138 Ipswich Street
Boston MA 02215-3534
Tel: (617) 236-1935
Fax: (617) 236-0261
office@ecspublishing.com
www.ecspublishing.com

MUSICAL EXECUTOR:
Gary Miller
PO Box 899
7 Maple Terrace
Philmont, NY 12565
gwmnyc@earthlink.com

OTHER CONTACTS:
Unknown