Skip to main content

Gates, B. Cecil (Brigham Cecil), 1887-1941

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1887 - 1941

Biographical History

B. Cecil Gates (1887-1941) was an American composer from Utah.

B. Cecil Gates was born Brigham Cecil Gates on August 17, 1887, to Jacob F. Gates and Susa Young Gates in Laie, Hawaii, while his parents were serving a mission. He is the brother of accomplished opera singer Emma Lucy Gates Bowen. He received early music training from teachers at Brigham Young Academy and the New England Conservatory of Music, and began teaching piano lessons in St. George, Utah. He served a mission in the Eastern States Mission from 1907-1910, and then went to Berlin, Germany to study at the Scharwenka Conservatory of Music. He graduated in 1913.

On June 30, 1917, B. Cecil married Gweneth Worthen Gibbs in Salt Lake City, Utah. Together they had five children. He later became head of music at LDS University (predecessor of LDS Business College and Ensign College). B. Cecil founded the McCune School of Music during his time at LDS University. He also served on the first General Church Music Committee. From 1916 to 1935, he was the assistant director of the Tabernacle Choir. He composed popular choral and religious works. With his sister Emma, B. Cecil organized the Lucy Gates Grand Opera Company in 1915. He died on August 31, 1941, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citation:
FamilySearch, September 27, 2024 (B. Cecil Gates; Brigham Cecil Gates; b. August 17, 1887, in Laie, Hawaii; parents were Susa Young Gates and Jacob F. Gates; brother of Emma Lucy Gates Bowen; mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1907-1910; married Gweneth Gibbs on June 30, 1917, in Salt Lake City, Utah; five children; d. August 31, 1941, in Salt Lake City, Utah)

Wikipedia, September 27, 2024 (born in Hawaii when parents were on a mission; early music training at Brigham Young Academy and the New England Conservatory; piano lessons in St. George, Utah; Berlin to study at the Scharwenka Conservatory of Music; graduated in 1913; head of music at LDS University, now known as LDS Business College and Ensign College; founded the McCune School of Music; organized the Lucy Gates Grand Opera Company in 1915 with his sister, Emma)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Gates family letters, 1899-1950

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 3 Series 1 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Handwritten letters written by and addressed to the Young and Gates families including, B. Cecil Gates, Harvey H. Gates, Lucy B. Young, and Albert E. Bowen. Topics inlcude life udpates, travel notes, and general welfare. Materials dated from 1899 to 1950.

Dates: 1899-1950
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Emma Lucy Gates Bowen family papers / Emma Lucy Gates Bowen family correspondence

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.