Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

April 30, 1916 in Red Bluff, CA

Death

:

January 25, 1999 in New Haven, CT

Genre

:

Choral

 

Robert Shaw was an American conductor and choral music artist who was born on April 30, 1916, in Red Bluff, California. He was the son of a minister and grew up in a musical family. His mother was a pianist, and his father was a singer and choir director. Shaw began singing in his father's church choir at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Shaw attended Pomona College in California, where he studied music and sang in the college choir. After college, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He worked as a choral director and conductor for several years before joining the United States Army during World War II. While in the army, Shaw directed the army chorus and traveled throughout Europe, performing for troops and civilians. After the war, Shaw returned to New York City and continued his career as a choral conductor. He founded the Robert Shaw Chorale in 1948, which quickly gained a reputation for excellence. The group performed a wide range of music, from classical to folk songs, and toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. In 1953, Shaw was appointed the conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, a position he held for four years. During his time with the Cleveland Orchestra, Shaw established himself as one of the leading choral conductors in the country. He also began to work with some of the most prominent orchestras in the world, including the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 1967, Shaw was appointed the conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. He held this position for 21 years and transformed the Atlanta Symphony into one of the leading orchestras in the country. Under his leadership, the orchestra and chorus performed a wide range of music, from classical to contemporary, and won numerous awards and accolades. One of the highlights of Shaw's career was his work with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus on the soundtrack for the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." The soundtrack, which was composed by John Williams, featured the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus performing the iconic five-note melody that is now synonymous with the movie. Shaw was also known for his work as a music educator. He taught at several universities throughout his career, including the Juilliard School and Carnegie Mellon University. He was a passionate advocate for music education and believed that everyone should have access to music. Throughout his career, Shaw received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. He won 14 Grammy Awards, including two for Best Choral Performance and one for Best Classical Album. He was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1991, the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. Shaw passed away on January 25, 1999, at the age of 82. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest choral conductors of all time. His contributions to music education and his dedication to excellence continue to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.

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