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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 2 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 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

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