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 4 Collections and/or Records:
Gordon Childs papers on the Viola d'Amore
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.
Gordon Childs arrangements and edits, approximately 1700-1999, bulk: bulk 1935-1999
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.
Gordon Childs collection of Visual Material for Viola d'Amore Newsletter, 1982-2006
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.
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.
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