Paul Gibson (b. 1952; Sacramento, CA) received degrees in composition from Mount St. Mary’s University (Los Angeles) and California State University, Northridge. He studied with Matt Doran, Frank Campo, Aurelio de la Vega, Ian Krouse, and John Harbison.
Gibson was commissioned to arrange hymns for the visit of Pope John Paul II to L.A. Publisher G.I.A. released A Mass of Life, a critically acclaimed CD of his sacred music. He took part in the first Composers Symposium at the Oregon Bach Festival, where three of his works were performed.
For its 15th anniversary, the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus commissioned Suite: Alice Through a Looking-Glass. Commissioned by Loyola Marymount University for the Golden Jubilee of the choral program founded by the late Paul Salamunovich, Gibson’s Te Deum for chorus and orchestra was premiered at LMU under Dr. Mary Breden. The following year saw his music in first performances at Carnegie Hall and St. Olaf College.
Gibson received the Owen Award from Oregon Catholic Press for outstanding achievement in the field of liturgical music, and CREATOR magazine named his Veni Sancte Spiritus as one of the ten best sacred works of 2001. It Fell Upon the High Midnight was a winner of the annual Christmas Carol Competition sponsored by the American Composers Forum and VocalEssence, Philip Brunelle, conductor. Described by the Los Angeles Times as “music of vaulting exultation,” his chant-based setting of Salve Regina has been chosen for several all-states.
Gibson’s music has been broadcast on hundreds of radio stations and received performances by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Debussy Trio, three Grammy-winning choruses: Los Angeles Chamber Singers, the Kansas City Chorale, and the Phoenix Chorale, and many others. He is published by Alliance, ECS, Fatrock Ink, G.I.A., Morningstar, and OCP. (More information at PaulGibsonMusic.com)
