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 16 Collections and/or Records:
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 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 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.
Gordon Childs Viola d'Amore papers from Karl Stumpf, 1968-2005
Contains correspondence between Dr. Childs and Karl Stumpf on the viola d'amore. Also includes articles and programs relating to the viola d'amore. Dated 1968-2005.
Miscellaneous excerpts from Gordon Childs' musical library, approximately 1661-2006, bulk: Approximately 1913-2006
This series contains miscellaneous materials from Dr. Childs' collection of papers on the viola d'amore. Includes poetry and other materials related to the viola d'amore. Dated approximately 1661-2006 with the bulk of the materials being from approximately 1913-2006.
Filtered By
- Subject: Viola d'amore X
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- Articles 7
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- Notes 2
- Photographs 2
- Viola -- Congresses 2
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