Childs, Gordon B., 1927-
Dates
- Existence: 1927-
Biographical History
Gordon Childs (born 1927) is a well-known viola d'amore performer and teacher and was one of the co-founders of the International Viola d'Amore Society/Congress.
Born on October 22, 1927 in Springville, Utah, Gordon B. Childs has B.A. and M.A. degrees in Music Education and Musicology from Brigham Young University and the Ed.D. degree in Music Administration from the University of Montana.
A violist and violinist, he was introduced to the Viola d’Amore by Professor Homer Wakefield in a music history class at BYU in the fall of 1951. He subsequently wrote his master's thesis on the History, Technique and Literature of the Viola d'Amore, and played a graduate recital of viola d'amore music using Professor Wakefield's instrument.
From solo to chamber music to concerti, he has given solo recitals, chamber music concerts and played concertos with symphony orchestras in most of the mid-west and western states in America and in Mexico, Poland and Germany.
Assisted by Myron Rosenblum of New York and Daniel Thomason of California, the directors of the Viola d'Amore Society of America, Dr. Childs hosted the first International Viola d'Amore Congress in 1982 at the University of Wyoming in Laramie where he was on the music faculty. Since the success of this first Congress, others have been held every other year in many cities in the United States, in England, Germany, and Poland including two he organized in Utah after retiring there in 1993.
Even after 21 years of retirement in Orem, Utah, Dr. Childs still teaches and performs on this beautiful "Viola d'Amore, Viole d'Amour, Viola of Love."
UPB files, July 14, 2014 (born in Springville, Utah; where he studied; where he has performed; hosted the first International Viola d'Amore Congress in 1982; retired 21 years ago to Orem, UT)
Found in 23 Collections and/or Records:
Gordon Childs papers on Carl Wunderle for a lecture at the 15th International Viola d'Amore Congress, 1936-2010, bulk: 2002-2010
This sub-series contains articles, pictures, and lecture notes from a lecture on Carl Wunderle given at the 15th International Viola d'Amore Congress. Dated 1936-2010 with the bulk of the materials being from 2002-2010.
Gordon Childs papers on donation of materials from the First International Viola d'Amore Congress to the University of Wyoming, 1982-2009, bulk: 2008-2009
This sub-series contains correspondence relating to the donation of materials from the first viola d'amore congress to the University of Wyoming. Dated 1982-2009 with the bulk of the materials being from 2008-2009.
Gordon Childs papers on the discovery of Walter Voigtlander's Viola d'Amore and music, 2001-2009
This series contains correspondence between Dr. Childs and others on the discovery of Walter Voigtlander's papers on the viola d'amore in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Also contains other materials including appraisals, music lists, and articles on the subject. Dated 2001-2009.
Gordon Childs papers on the International Viola d'Amore Congresses, 1926-2014, bulk: 1996-2014
This series contains correspondence, articles, lecture notes, and pictures relating to the 1st and 15th International Viola d'Amore congresses. Dated 1926-2014 with the bulk of the materials being from 1996-2014.
Gordon Childs papers on the research of the Viola d'Amore for master's thesis, 1952-1954, bulk: March 1952-July 1952
This series contains correspondence between Dr. Childs and other viola d'amore players about the viola d'amore for his master's thesis. Dated 1952-1954 with the bulk of the materials being from March 1952-July 1952.
Gordon Childs papers on the Viola d'Amore Society Newsletters, 1977-2014
This series contains Dr. Childs' collection of Viola d'Amore Society newsletters as well as photographs and other visual material to be used in one of the editions. Dated 1977-2014.
Gordon Childs papers on Viola d'Amore performances in Utah, 1994-2002
This sub-series contains concert/event programs and pictures of performances Dr. Childs gave in Utah. Dated 1994-2002.
Gordon Childs performance and publicity papers on the Viola d'Amore, 1954-2014
Contains Gordon Childs' personal performance papers on the viola d'amore, including concert programs, newspaper clippings, articles, and correspondence relating to his personal performances on the viola d'amore. Dated 1954-2014.
Gordon Childs performance papers on the Ancient Instruments Ensemble, 1970-1977
Contains concert programs from performances by the Ancient Instruments Ensemble of Adams State College. It also includes a pamphlet with more information about the group. Dated 1970-1977.
Gordon Childs photographs of Viola d'Amore performances in Wyoming and Utah, 1990-1997
This series contains photographs of Dr. Childs and his performances on the viola d'amore in Wyoming and Utah. Dated 1990-1997.
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 22
- Collection 1
- Subject
- Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences 22
- Music 22
- Viola d'amore 15
- Articles 9
- Photocopies 9
- Letters 8
- Programs 8
- Scores 7
- Correspondence 6
- Pictures 6
- Manuscripts 5
- Viola d'Amore -- Congresses 5
- Viola d'Amore music 4
- Advertisements 3
- Certificates 3
- Contracts 3
- Newspapers 3
- Biography 2
- Newsletters 2
- Newspaper reading 2
- Notes 2
- Opera 2
- Photographs 2
- Viola -- Congresses 2
- Viola music 2
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) 1
- Viola 1 + ∧ less