Role

:

Composer

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Orchestral

 

Crawford Gates was an American composer of classical music, known for his works in opera, choral music, and film scores. He was born on July 10, 1921, in Millard County, Utah, to a family of musicians. His father was a choir director and his mother was a pianist, and they both encouraged their son's musical talents from a young age. Gates began his formal music education at Brigham Young University, where he studied composition and conducting. He later earned a master's degree in music from the University of Southern California, where he studied with composer Ernst Toch. During World War II, Gates served in the U.S. Army as a musician, playing in the Army Band and conducting the Army Chorus. After the war, Gates returned to Utah and began a career as a composer and conductor. He served as the music director of the Utah Symphony Orchestra from 1949 to 1952, and later as the conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from 1957 to 1962. He also taught music at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. Gates' early works were primarily choral pieces, including settings of hymns and folk songs. He also composed several operas, including "The Prophet," which premiered in 1959 and was based on the life of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church. The opera was well-received and helped establish Gates as a major composer in the United States. In the 1960s, Gates began to focus more on film scores. He composed music for several movies, including "The Best Two Years," "Johnny Lingo," and "The Lamb of God." His film scores were often characterized by their lush orchestration and use of traditional hymns and folk songs. Gates' most famous work is perhaps his oratorio "Promised Valley," which was commissioned by the state of Utah to commemorate the centennial of its statehood in 1996. The oratorio tells the story of the settling of Utah by Mormon pioneers and features a large choir, orchestra, and soloists. The work was performed to great acclaim and has since become a staple of the choral repertoire. Throughout his career, Gates remained committed to his Mormon faith and often incorporated religious themes into his music. He was also known for his dedication to his students and mentored many young composers and conductors over the years. Gates passed away on February 9, 2003, at the age of 81. His legacy as a composer and educator continues to be felt in the world of classical music, and his works are still performed and recorded today.

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