Marion got a day job and Gene studied composition in a graduate program at the University of Minnesota under Dr. Ferguson and James Aliferis. By special dispensation, he also attended Minneapolis Symphony rehearsals under Mitropoulos and Dorati, a very special sort of classroom. By the middle 1950s, his compositions were being performed with increasing frequency in the midwest, and soon were gaining added national and international recognition in the form of prizes and awards. Principal among his works are six symphonies, zhree piano sonatas, five concerti, four stringquartets, and more than a dozen programmatic orchestral scores. Conductors from Stokowski to Schippers to Skrowaczewski, and ensembles such as the Fine Arts, Composers and Lark String Quartets have been advocates of Gutche's music.
Humanity is a deep well.
The artist throws a pebble into the well. Despairingly he turns when, suddenly, he hears the splash. So our artists in the creation of a culture search for a response in the deep well of the American people. He has pursued his special path with single-minded and meticulous determination, has not followed trends, taught students, or joined composer alliances. If the politics of art or the smile of fortune have not been on his side consistently, Gene has had his share of moments in the light and does not complain.