Episode No. 51 Saturday, November 3, 2018 Paul Gibson, Composer, Church Musician, Organist
Listen to a fascinating visit with a composer who has written music for Popes, Dioceses, Cathedrals, famous Choirs, Colleges, and Concert Halls. Paul Gibson was born in Sacramento, California. A few years later, his family moved to the small village of Chitray, France, near the airbase at Châteauroux where his father worked for the U.S. Air Force. Gibson experienced his first liturgical music – Latin hymns and chants – in the local parish church.
He received degrees in composition from Mount St. Mary’s University (Los Angeles) and California State University, Northridge. He studied with Matt Doran, Frank Campo, Aurelio de la Vega, Ian Krouse, and John Harbison.
Gibson was commissioned to arrange hymns for the visit of Pope John Paul II to L.A. Publisher G.I.A. released A Mass of Life, a critically acclaimed CD of his sacred music. He took part in the first Composers Symposium at the Oregon Bach Festival, where three of his works were performed.For its 15th anniversary, the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus commissioned Suite: Alice Through a Looking-Glass. Commissioned by Loyola Marymount University for the Golden Jubilee of the choral program founded by the late Paul Salamunovich, Gibson’s Te Deum for chorus and orchestra was premiered at LMU under Dr. Mary Breden. The following year saw his music in first performances at Carnegie Hall and St. Olaf College.
This award-winning composer’s music has been broadcast on hundreds of radio stations and received performances by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, three Grammy-winning choruses: Los Angeles Chamber Singers, the Kansas City Chorale, and the Phoenix Chorale, and many others. He is published by Alliance, ECS, Fatrock Ink, G.I.A., Morningstar, and OCP.
MUSIC: Salve Regina Paul Gibson recorded by Zephyr
MUSIC: May God Bless Us Paul Gibson recorded by Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller, conductor
MUSIC: Dona Nobis Pacem Paul Gibson LA Children’s Chorus, Anne Tomlinson, conductor
MUSIC: The Love of Our Creator Paul Gibson recorded in Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Portland, OR for OCP
Commissioned by the Diocese of Orange for the installation of Bishop Tod David Brown. Premiered by Matt Gray at Holy Family Cathedral
MUSIC: Te Deum: 7. Alleluia. Amen. Paul Gibson Loyola Marymount University Choruses and Orchestra, Mary Breden, conductor