Ralph Shapey was an American composer, conductor and violinist associated with the performance and teaching of contemporary music. Born in Philadelphia, he studied violin with Emanuel Zetlin and composition with Stefan Wolpe. After military service and a period in New York, he joined the University of Chicago in 1964, founding the Contemporary Chamber Players during his first year there. He led that ensemble for three decades and taught at the university until 1991. His catalog contains more than two hundred works, with commissions from major orchestras and foundations. His honors included a MacArthur Fellowship and a Friedheim Award. He remained active as a composer until the end of his life.