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Childs, Gordon B., 1927-

 Person

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 the Viola d'Amore

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 8507
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to Gordon Childs’ research on, experience with, and study of, the viola d’amore. It includes his personal collection of viola d'amore music, his research on the viola d'amore, and other materials related to well-known contemporary viola d’amore players and composers. Dated 1602-2014 with the bulk being from 1935-1997.

Dates: Publication: 1602-2014; Publication: Majority of material found within 1935-1997

Gordon Childs arrangements and edits, approximately 1700-1999, bulk: bulk 1935-1999

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8507 Series 1
Scope and Contents

This series contains Gordon Childs' personal arrangements and edits of viola d'amore pieces. The materials are in the form of printed music scores, Gordon Childs’ personal handwritten manuscripts of his arrangements, and photocopied music scores. Many of the scores have added annotations and markings by Childs. Dated circa 1700-1799 with the bulk being between 1935-1999.

Dates: Publication: approximately 1700-1999; Publication: Majority of material found within 1935-1999

Gordon Childs collection of Viola d'Amore Society Newsletters, 1977-2014

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8507 Series 14 Sub-Series Sub- 1
Scope and Contents

This sub-series contains Dr. Child's collection of the Viola d'Amore Society Newsletters. Dated 1977-2014.

Dates: 1977-2014

Gordon Childs collection of Visual Material for Viola d'Amore Newsletter, 1982-2006

 Sub-Series — Box 5: Series 14; Series 15; Series 16, Folder: 12
Identifier: MSS 8507 Series 14 Sub-Series Sub- 2
Scope and Contents

This sub-series contains photographs and photocopied pictures of Dr. Childs and others performing on the viola d'amore to be used in a copy of the Viola d'Amore Society Newsletter. Dated 1982-2006.

Dates: 1982-2006

Gordon Childs collection of visual material on the International Viola d'Amore Congresses, 1982-2006

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8507 Series 10
Scope and Contents

This series contains a collection of photographs taken at the annual International Viola d'amore congresses. Dated 1982-2006.

Dates: 1982-2006

Gordon Childs collection on "In The Pasha's Garden", 1934-1986

 Series — Box 2: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3; Series 6, Folder: 9
Identifier: MSS 8507 Series 2
Scope and Contents

This series contains materials that Gordon Childs collected and compiled on an opera called “In The Pasha’s Garden” by John Laurence Seymour which has a viola d’amore solo during one of the acts. It includes musical scores and correspondence related to Childs' research. Dated 1934-1986.

Dates: 1934-1986

Gordon Childs collection on other violists, 1782-2014, bulk: bulk 1900-2014

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8507 Series 2
Scope and Contents

This series contains materials Gordon Childs collected and received from several prominent contemporary viola d'amore players and composers. The collection includes a rare piece of music given to him by the well-known composer, Vaclav Nelhybel, to perform. Dated 1782-2014 with the bulk being from 1900-2014.

Dates: Publication: 1782-2014; Majority of material found within 1900-2014

Gordon Childs complete photocopies, 1602-1987, bulk: bulk 1890-1987

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8507 Series 3
Scope and Contents

This series contains photocopied musical scores from Gordon Childs' personal music library. Dated 1602-1987 with the bulk being from 1890-1987.

Dates: Publication: 1602-1987; Publication: Majority of material found within 1890-1987

Gordon Childs correspondence on the Viola d'Amore, 1969-2014

 Series — Box 3: Series 7; Series 8, Folder: 2
Identifier: MSS 8507 Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and emails between Gordon Childs and others about the viola d'amore. Dated 1969-2014.

Dates: 1969-2014

Gordon Childs papers on Ancient Instruments, 1971

 Series — Box 3: Series 7; Series 8, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSS 8507 Series 7
Scope and Contents

This series includes photocopied music for and pictures of ancient instruments. Dated 1971.

Dates: Copyright: 1971

Filtered By

  • Subject: Music X

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