Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

August 10, 1889 in Great Baddow, Essex, England

Death

:

May 12, 1960 in Chelmsford, Essex, England

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Cecil Armstrong Gibbs was a British composer, conductor, and music educator who was born on August 10, 1889, in Great Baddow, Essex, England. He was the son of a clergyman and was raised in a musical family. His mother was a pianist, and his father played the organ. Gibbs showed an early interest in music and began composing at a young age. Gibbs received his early education at Charterhouse School in Surrey, where he was a chorister. He then went on to study music at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was a pupil of Charles Villiers Stanford. Gibbs was a talented student and won several prizes for his compositions while at the Royal College of Music. After completing his studies, Gibbs began his career as a composer and conductor. He was appointed the conductor of the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra in 1921, a position he held for 10 years. During this time, he also worked as a music educator, teaching at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. Gibbs was a prolific composer, and his works include orchestral music, chamber music, choral music, and songs. He was particularly known for his choral music, which was often inspired by English folk songs and poetry. Some of his most famous works include the choral pieces "The Turning Year," "Five Eyes," and "The Cherry Tree." Gibbs was also a keen supporter of amateur music-making and wrote many works for amateur choirs and orchestras. He believed that music should be accessible to everyone and that amateur musicians should have the opportunity to perform high-quality music. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Gibbs was also a writer and music critic. He wrote several books on music, including "The Growth of Music," which was published in 1938. He also wrote articles for music journals and newspapers, including The Times and The Musical Times. Gibbs was awarded several honors during his lifetime, including the Order of the British Empire in 1952 and the CBE in 1957. He died on May 12, 1960, in London, England, at the age of 70. Despite his prolific output and the popularity of his choral music, Gibbs's music has fallen out of favor in recent years. However, his contributions to English music and his dedication to making music accessible to all remain an important part of his legacy.

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