Though neither of his parents was musical, his extended family included many musicians, both amateurs and professionals,[2] among them his cousin, concert pianist and composer Barbara Gallagher.
He began his formal musical training at age 10 studying violin under retired violinist and conductor, Robert Louis Barron.
Craton studied theory and composition under John Maltese, Gerald Moore, and Henry Fusner.
"[4] His music has been variously characterized as "atmospheric,"[5] "dramatic and challenging,"[6] "largely traditional ... playful,"[7] and occasionally even reflecting "a medieval/Renaissance flavor.
"[8] He has been performed by such artists and ensembles as Sebastiaan de Grebber, Gertrud Weyhofen, Sinella Aghasi, Ljubomir Velickovic, Takumi Mamiya, Lisa Ferrigno, Het CONSORT, the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra, Filarmonica Mandolini Alba Sapporo, Townsend Opera, and the Bloomington and Amsterdam Symphony Orchestras.