Gerald Bales
Encyclopedia
Gerald Albert Bales, CM
(May 12, 1919 – July 4, 2002) was a Canadian
organist
and composer
.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Bales studied at the Toronto Conservatory of Music
from 1936 to 1940 where he was a pupil of Herbert A. Fricker (conducting
), Albert Procter (piano and organ), Leo Smith
(music theory
), and Healey Willan
(music theory). In 1937 he gave his first professional organ concert at the Eaton Auditorium in Toronto, a performance which included some of his own compositions. As a soloist he had a major triumph in 1948 when he performed his Fantasy for piano and orchestra with the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra.
From 1937 to 1941, he was an organist and choirmaster at St Anne's Anglican Church in Toronto. He went on to hold many different church posts in Toronto, Calgary
, and Minneapolis up through 1971. From 1971 to 1984, he taught organ, choral conducting and orchestration at the University of Ottawa
. He has composed over 120 works for piano, organ, voice, orchestra and chamber orchestra.
He was a Fellow and former president, from 1980 to 1982, of the Royal Canadian College of Organists
. In 1996, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(May 12, 1919 – July 4, 2002) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Bales studied at the Toronto Conservatory of Music
Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto)
The Royal Conservatory of Music, also known as The Royal Conservatory, is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world...
from 1936 to 1940 where he was a pupil of Herbert A. Fricker (conducting
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
), Albert Procter (piano and organ), Leo Smith
Leo Smith (composer)
Leo Joseph Leopold Smith was an English composer, writer, music critic, music educator, and cellist who was primarily active in Canada...
(music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
), and Healey Willan
Healey Willan
Healey Willan, was an Anglo-Canadian organist and composer. He composed more than 800 works including operas, symphonies, chamber music, a concerto, and pieces for band, orchestra, organ, and piano...
(music theory). In 1937 he gave his first professional organ concert at the Eaton Auditorium in Toronto, a performance which included some of his own compositions. As a soloist he had a major triumph in 1948 when he performed his Fantasy for piano and orchestra with the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra.
From 1937 to 1941, he was an organist and choirmaster at St Anne's Anglican Church in Toronto. He went on to hold many different church posts in Toronto, Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, and Minneapolis up through 1971. From 1971 to 1984, he taught organ, choral conducting and orchestration at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
. He has composed over 120 works for piano, organ, voice, orchestra and chamber orchestra.
He was a Fellow and former president, from 1980 to 1982, of the Royal Canadian College of Organists
Royal Canadian College of Organists
The Royal Canadian College of Organists , founded in 1909,is a national association of organists and church musicians in Canada, with 32 centres from Victoria, British Columbia to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.The National Office is in Toronto....
. In 1996, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
.
See also
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...
- List of Canadian composers