Composer, Producer, Educator

Stephen L. Bigger is an energetic, thoughtful, and versatile professional. Globally minded and dedicated to passionate, spiritual artistry he draws inspiration by interacting with other creative performers, always looking for a way to involve participants of all ages in his music. Whether through extensive orchestration, choral accompaniment, or cross cultural experimentation, Stephen’s compositions are inspired tapestries woven around lyrics worthy of deeper consideration. If you listen carefully, you might find a slice of your own life in one of his songs.

Stephen is right at home whether he is playing on stage, working in the recording studio, directing an orchestra, or leading a choir singing anything from Black Gospel to Gregorian Chant. He has been in the music industry since 1981 and yet his fresh sound and personal energy is engaging.  Stephen has recorded eight original albums and his most recent cds are available on itunes.

He writes with an appreciation of World Music, Celtic, Americana, Rock, RnB, and Classical genres. How do all these styles fit together? Here’s how… Stephen credits this exposure to his time as staff producer for a Nashville, TN children's music company. His job was to complete about 300 songs per year for several years, each song spanning a different style, century, culture, or country. As a result his arrangements and compositions are widely distributed by global educational organizations. He has twenty years of experience writing and producing commercial tracks for media and film. In 2001, he was granted an ASCAP award for "Shake This World", a song written for a series of world peace conferences. In 2002, he received an ASCAP award for writing a theme song for United Way's "Together For Children" and "Success By Six" programs.

Stephen's work on a CD of 197 National Anthems for the 1996 Olympics yielded a very exciting result. With the help of computer innovation developed by UC Santa Cruz professor Dave Cope and partner John Guillot, all 197 anthems were melded into one beautiful "World Anthem," recorded in early 2002 by the Prague Symphony and distributed throughout the world. The "World Anthem" was featured in an article in the New York Times and was featured in the 40th Anniversary of the Peace Corps in Washington D.C. as well as the Praxis Peace Conference in Croatia in June of 2002. The piece is being performed and recorded by ensembles including the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Choir, The Air Force Band of the Rockies, and other university orchestras.

Currently, Stephen is Music Director and Program Administrator for The Santa Cruz Community World Choir and Orchestra. This program is produced by RockArbor Music and has begun the task of filling the gaps left in funding for arts and music in the public schools. His innovative approach is providing exciting opportunities for singers, musicians, and technical support personnel in the Santa Cruz, CA area. Besides offering the chance for parents and children to sing together, this 21st model for performance ensembles gives every participant multiple rehearsal time choices, child care, as well as technical and musical training for all ages.