Role

:

Conductor  

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Robert Page was a renowned American conductor, arranger, and choral director who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on April 27, 1927, in Abington, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a singer. Page's early exposure to music sparked his interest in pursuing a career in the field. Page attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1949 and a Master of Music degree in 1950. During his time at the university, he studied under renowned conductors such as Thor Johnson and Josef Blatt. After completing his studies, Page began his career as a choral director and conductor. In 1953, Page became the assistant conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, where he worked under the direction of George Szell. He also served as the conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, which he founded in 1952. During his time with the Cleveland Orchestra, Page conducted numerous performances and recordings, including the orchestra's first recording of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. In 1958, Page was appointed the director of choral activities at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He held this position for ten years and established the Carnegie Mellon Choir, which became one of the most respected collegiate choirs in the country. Page also served as the conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Chorus during this time. In 1968, Page was appointed the director of choral activities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He held this position for 23 years and transformed the university's choral program into one of the most prestigious in the country. Page also served as the conductor of the Madison Symphony Orchestra Chorus and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Chorus during his tenure at the university. Page's contributions to the world of classical music were not limited to his work as a conductor and choral director. He was also a prolific arranger and composer, and his arrangements of traditional folk songs and spirituals became staples of choral repertoire. Page's arrangements were performed by numerous choirs and orchestras, including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Page's career was marked by numerous highlights and achievements. In 1972, he conducted the world premiere of John Harbison's "The Natural World" with the Madison Symphony Orchestra. The performance was widely acclaimed, and Page was praised for his interpretation of the piece. In 1983, Page conducted the world premiere of Stephen Paulus's "To Be Certain of the Dawn" with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. The piece was commissioned by the orchestra to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the end of World War II and was later performed by numerous choirs and orchestras around the world. Page's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1989, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Wisconsin Music Educators Association. In 1993, he was inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. In 2003, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George W. Bush for his contributions to the field of choral music. Page continued to work in the field of classical music until his death on August 7, 2016, at the age of 89.

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