Composers
,
Well known in the LDS community in Utah for his involvement as a senior producer and broadcaster at radio station KBYU-FM, Smith is also a fine composer of sacred music. His compositions have been featured on Dr Clayne Robison's evocative Sabbath Songs (1&2) albums available on BYU's Tantara record label.
Perhaps best known for her collaborations with sister Janice Kapp Perry, Ann Anderson is an accomplished lyricist and composer in her own right. Her hymn Christ is Risen is perfect for Easter sacrament meetings.
Gaylen Hatton 1928 ~ 2008
Passing away in February 2008, Hatton was an important voice among LDS composers. Following his mission Hatton graduated with a Master's degree in music from BYU in 1954, and received his Ph.D in music composition from the University of Utah. Hatton's setting of President Hinckley's text What is this Thing That Man Calls Death?is both haunting and hopeful.
Dr Ashby graduated from BYU and earned postgraduate degrees from USC. She has taught and conducted choirs at UVSC (now UVU), BYU and now at BYUI where she was the first female composer to be invited to contribute to their scared music series with her oratorio "The Tree of Life: Redemption" which premiered in 2007.
Asplund has a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Washington and has taught at BYU since 2002. He cofounded Seattle Experimental Opera and several of his operas have been written for and performed by this ensemble. Dr Asplund has a sincere love of hymn writing and has reset many or the texts from Emma Smith's original hymnbook for a more contemporary performance.
Merrill Bradshaw was a dearly loved and admired composer and teacher at BYU. He worked in all musical forms from symphonies and concerti to hymns and other smaller pieces. His contribution to this album Benediction is a fitting end to any meeting.
Dan Bradshaw was raised in a musical household with his father Merrill a composer, as is his older brother Keith. Dan has a distinctive musical style with an ear for vocal writing. His contribution to this album, Great King of Heaven is one of two hymns for men's chorus.
Through her beautifully written vocal and choral compositions, and her willingness to share her talents, Colorado composer Sally De Ford has become a household name among LDS musicians. The two hymns she has contributed to this album reflect her abilities in writing text as well as composition and will enhance any seasonal musical program.
Dr Durham began his musical education at the University of Utah and completed his doctorate in composition at the University of Iowa. He has taught at BYU since 1978. At present, he serves as Associate Director of the School of Music, and as Executive Director of the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition.
Robert Manookin (1918-1997)
Reid Nibley
Janice Kapp Perry
Darwin Wolford