Composition · Concerts · Fine Art Photography ·

Chef-Composed Culinary Events

Meet The Founder

Gerry comes from a long line of musicians on both his mother’s and his father’s side. His great grandfather led several choirs in Chattanooga in the early 1900’s. His great great grandmother used to write and direct school operas.

Gerry’s journey into music began in 1968, when his family met Glenn and Lounelle Draper at the Chattanooga airport as they arrived from Florida to begin their ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga. The very first Sunday he heard the choir, Gerry was, in his words, “bit by the bug” of music.

He studied music at Bright School and the Cadek Conservatory, often singing impromptu songs in the family den when no one was home. It was not until his travels to Caracas, Venezuela in the 1980s, however, that he felt a renewed calling to pursue formal musical study. Returning home, he studied music at King University and, after several years, made the decision to continue his education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

At UTC, Gerry studied with Glenn Draper and sang in both Draper’s university choir and his church choir. By the end of his studies, his focus had turned decisively toward composition, though he knew little at the time about what that path would require. In fact, some teachers encouraged him to pursue other work. He did not.

Years of serious health challenges followed, during which Gerry continued to study composition independently. In 2010, he made a quiet but decisive commitment: if he was ever truly going to be a composer, he had to write consistently, faithfully, and without waiting for permission. That decision marked the beginning of his modern era of composition, a creative season that has continued without interruption.

Experience the Harmony of Art, Music, and Culinary Experiences

Stephens Fine Arts LLC is a creative house dedicated to bringing beauty into a fractured world through the mastery of music, photography, and the culinary arts. Founded by Gerry U. Stephens Jr., a 4th-generation Chattanoogan, the firm serves as an umbrella for his multi-disciplinary craft.

Whether composing sacred music for Stephens Music Publishing, capturing timeless images via Platinum Light Photography, or hosting globally inspired dinners through A Composer’s Table, Gerry’s work is defined by a common thread: the "sacred labor" of creation. Inspired by the hospitality of The Cloister at Sea Island and his deep-rooted faith, Gerry bridges the gap between old-world craftsmanship and modern innovation to create works that are as intimate as they are inspired.

Stephens Music Publishing

Stephens Music Publishing Categories

Dive into our comprehensive collection of music, curated for musicians, conductors, and enthusiasts. Our editions combine scholarly integrity with outstanding legibility, whether you are inspiring a full ensemble, commanding the stage with an orchestra, or exploring the profound expression of the solo voice.

Platinum Light Photography

Through portraiture, landscape, and still life, Platinum Light seeks not spectacle but truth: the beauty that endures long after fashion fades. Each print invites the viewer into stillness—to see again the holiness of the ordinary.

Connect

Reach out to discuss our music, explore collaboration opportunities, or inquire about our full portfolio. We welcome your questions and ideas.

423.355.0054