Gregory Murray (also known as Greg Murray) born (March 3, 1970) is an American pianist, conductor, and liturgist. He currently serves as the Director of Music and Liturgy at the Church of St. Patrick in Sarasota, Florida. He's also known for his appearance in the Barney & Friends season one episode "Practice Makes Music". Murray has over 30 years of experience in liturgical music, working in the Diocese of Dallas, Diocese of Oakland, and Diocese of Venice. He made his orchestral debut at 15 with the Plano Symphony Orchestra and conducted the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at Interlochen at 16. He has also performed in venues such as the Syria Mosque (Pittsburgh), Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall (Pittsburgh), and Southfork Ranch (Dallas).
His performances include radio (Kidd Kraddick Morning Show, 97.1 KEGL Dallas) and television appearances, as well as solo concertos with the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra. He has studied with numerous acclaimed pianists and Van Cliburn Competition medalists.
Outside of performance, Murray has worked extensively in piano sales and instruction, alongside his role as a church music director. Murray appeared as himself in the episode "Practice Makes Music" (Season 1, Episode 24). In the episode, the children prepare for a school concert while Michael struggles to play "London Bridge" on his bass. To help him, Barney invites his friend Greg Murray, who demonstrates his virtuosic piano skills and relentless practice.
Barney magically provides a grand piano, and Murray plays the group nursery rhymes, encouraging the kids to guess the tunes. He also demonstrates how one song can be played in many different styles, performing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star as Latin jazz, 1950s rock and roll, and dramatic classical music. Later, Murray plays Tchaikovsky’s "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy", accompanied by a ballet dance sequence Barney creates.
