Michael Udow has composed three operas, film scores, orchestral and wind ensemble works, chamber music, and solo compositions. Michael's distinctive compositional voice alludes categorization. Quite often, his rhythmically engaging contrapuntal lines with dense timbres weave effortlessly with memorable melodic lines. His latest 2020 Animated Film to be performed live with orchestra, wind ensemble or 6-percussion with sound playback has received twelve laurel awards, including New York's Sound and Vision International Film & Technology Festival, Hollywood Verge Film Awards, Picasso, Einstein, Buddha Film Festival (India) and Bengal's Model N Movie International Shorts. In addition, Michael was the 2014-15 Composer-in-Residence with the Colorado Chamber Orchestra.

Michael is a University of Michigan Emeritus Professor (1982 – 2011). He retired from his distinguished career as the principal percussionist with The Santa Fe Opera (1968 – 2009). Michael holds BM degrees in composition and percussion from the University of Illinois, where he also completed his MM and the first DMA degree in percussion performance. Oxford University Press published his 472-page book, Percussion Pedagogy, A Practical Guide for Studio Teachers, in 2019.

The Rhode Island Philharmonic, Boulder Philharmonic, Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Madison Philharmonia have recorded Michael's works. In 2022, the DuPage Symphony Orchestra will be presenting Michael's Shattered Mirror Suite, preceded by a week of guest composer workshops.