Paul Gibson (b. 1952; Sacramento, CA) is an award-winning composer whose music is performed around the world, most especially his works for voice. Based in the Los Angeles area for many years, he sang with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the world’s leading conductors in repertoire ranging from Gregorian chant and Renaissance masters to György Ligeti and John Adams. In addition, he sang in the L.A. Opera Chorus, and, for 30 years, served as a church musician in L.A. and Orange counties. Here are selected highlights from his career:
The night before the British coronation, Gibson’s March for the Double Coronation was premiered in London conducted by co-commissioner Marcy Sudock. His international premieres also include choral works in Leipzig and performances as far afield as Australia, South Africa, and China. For its centennial celebrations, the Los Angeles Philharmonic brass section premiered his Fanfare for the LA Phil 100 on the front steps of Walt Disney Concert Hall, a venue that also saw several of his choral works performed there.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Loyola Marymount University’s tradition of a Spring Chorale, instituted by the late beloved conductor Paul Salamunovich, Dr. Mary Breden and LMU commissioned a Te Deum for chorus and orchestra, bringing full circle to Breden’s and Gibson’s collaborative friendship, as she had given him his very first commission, for her girls’ high school chorus, decades earlier.
As a companion piece to Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock, Gibson set texts by William Blake for a cycle called The Shepherd’s Lot, which received superb performances by the European Concert Trio and most recently by young musicians in Serbia.
Many of Gibson’s sacred works were commissioned, premiered, and/or recorded by leading Catholic musician Frank Brownstead, whose Christmas CD In Deepest Night featured A Christmas Gloria, which went on to tremendous success around the U.S. and beyond. Paul owes a great debt of gratitude to Frank for his continued encouragement.
Many qualities of Gibson’s music can be traced back to his early childhood in a very small French village near where he heard Gregorian chant sung by the monks of Fontgombault Abbey (founded in 1091). Paul’s formal training took place at Mount St. Mary’s University and at California State University, Northridge. His music has been broadcast on hundreds of radio stations across North America and is published by, and available from, Alliance, E.C. Schirmer, Fatrock Ink, G.I.A., MorningStar, MusicSpoke, and OCP.
Paul now lives with his wife Carol and Papillon-mix Bitsy in Lebanon, Ohio, where they enjoy the great cultural offerings in and around Cincinnati.
