Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1877

Death

:

1933

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

John Leavitt is a renowned American composer, conductor, and arranger of choral music. He was born on November 24, 1956, in Long Beach, California, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a church choir director, and his mother was a pianist. Leavitt started playing the piano at the age of five and began singing in his father's church choir at the age of eight. Leavitt's passion for music continued to grow, and he pursued his musical education at California State University, Long Beach, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting. He also studied at the University of Southern California, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Music. Leavitt's career as a composer began in the early 1980s when he started writing choral music for his church choir. His first published work was "Sing We Now of Christmas," which was published by Hinshaw Music in 1984. Since then, Leavitt has composed over 700 works, including choral anthems, cantatas, and musicals. Leavitt's music is known for its accessibility, beauty, and versatility. His compositions are often performed by church choirs, school choirs, and community choirs. His music has been performed by some of the world's leading choral ensembles, including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the King's Singers, and the Dale Warland Singers. One of Leavitt's most popular works is "The Peaceable Kingdom," a choral cycle based on texts from the book of Isaiah. The work was commissioned by the Dale Warland Singers and premiered in 1992. The piece has since become a staple of the choral repertoire and has been performed by choirs all over the world. Another notable work by Leavitt is "Requiem," a setting of the Latin Mass for the Dead. The work was commissioned by the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia and premiered in 2002. The piece is known for its lush harmonies and emotional depth. Leavitt has also written several musicals, including "The Christmas Oratorio," "The Easter Oratorio," and "The Song of Christmas." These works combine traditional choral music with elements of musical theater and have been performed by church and school choirs around the world. In addition to his work as a composer, Leavitt is also a respected conductor and arranger. He has conducted choirs at the local, national, and international levels and has served as the artistic director of several choral organizations. He has also arranged music for a variety of ensembles, including the Boston Pops Orchestra and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Leavitt's contributions to the world of choral music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He has received the ASCAP Standard Award for his contributions to American music and has been inducted into the American Choral Directors Association Hall of Fame. He has also been awarded honorary doctorates from several universities. In conclusion, John Leavitt is a prolific and talented composer, conductor, and arranger of choral music. His music is known for its accessibility, beauty, and versatility and has been performed by choirs all over the world. His contributions to the world of choral music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, and his legacy as a composer and conductor will continue to inspire future generations of musicians.

More....