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COMPOSER PROFILE
D. Geoffrey BellD. Geoffrey Bell is an established Canadian composer best known for his published choral music. He is an Emeritus Member of the Canadian League of Composers.
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Featured works
PERUSAL SCORES
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RECORDINGS
About Geoffrey
Geoffrey grew up singing in the Pro Anglican Cathedral, Calgary, working his way through the treble, alto, tenor and bass sections. He next sang as a bass with the University of Calgary Concert Choir. He studied piano performance with some of Calgary’s top piano teachers, frequently winning first or second place in Kiwanis Music Festival classes. He received top marks for his senior composition recital at the University of Calgary.
Geoffrey made his national debut as a composer in 1981 at the age of 25. His “Missa Brevis” was the centerpiece of a nationwide broadcast on CBC-FM’s “Celebration” program.
Over his 38-year teaching career worked with a variety of choirs, both as a conductor and as an accompanist. He wrote a number of works for children’s choirs, many of which were published by reputable choral music publishers in Canada and the United States. Gradually, he began to explore a greater variety of choral ensembles and genres; larger, more serious concert works; and music for instrumental ensembles, including intimate orchestral works. His music has been performed in concert in Canada, the United States and Australia, and of course, on YouTube.
In recent years, Geoffrey’s compositions have been premiered by the Vancouver Chamber Choir and London Pro Musica. Four world premier performances of new works were given in the 2022-23 concert season: “The Cloths of Heaven” by Ensemble Resonance in Calgary; “The Commanded Heart” for the Unison Choruses Canada Festival in Halifax; and “Come With Me to the Sea” by Amabile Choirs in London, Ontario. “Harp Improvisation #1: Introspection” had its YouTube debut by American harpist Danielle Kuntz in December.
Throughout his career, Geoffrey has been an advocate for Canadian composers and their music. Choral Canada’s Anacrusis magazine and the American Choral Directors Association Choral Journal have published two of his articles: “Dialogue With Three Distinguished Canadian Choral Composers”, and “Dialogue With Five Contemporary Canadian Composers”. Other published and online articles include “How to Commission a New Piece of Choral Music” and “What Happens to My Royalties When I Die?” The ACDA blog also published his article, “From India Ink to Digital Bits”, which explores the effect of the electronic revolution on music today, and challenges contemporary choral conductors to experiment with the fusion of electronic and choral music!
Geoffrey is an Emeritus Member of the Canadian League of Composers.
Further information and his complete catalogue can be found at www.dgeoffreybell.com
Geoffrey made his national debut as a composer in 1981 at the age of 25. His “Missa Brevis” was the centerpiece of a nationwide broadcast on CBC-FM’s “Celebration” program.
Over his 38-year teaching career worked with a variety of choirs, both as a conductor and as an accompanist. He wrote a number of works for children’s choirs, many of which were published by reputable choral music publishers in Canada and the United States. Gradually, he began to explore a greater variety of choral ensembles and genres; larger, more serious concert works; and music for instrumental ensembles, including intimate orchestral works. His music has been performed in concert in Canada, the United States and Australia, and of course, on YouTube.
In recent years, Geoffrey’s compositions have been premiered by the Vancouver Chamber Choir and London Pro Musica. Four world premier performances of new works were given in the 2022-23 concert season: “The Cloths of Heaven” by Ensemble Resonance in Calgary; “The Commanded Heart” for the Unison Choruses Canada Festival in Halifax; and “Come With Me to the Sea” by Amabile Choirs in London, Ontario. “Harp Improvisation #1: Introspection” had its YouTube debut by American harpist Danielle Kuntz in December.
Throughout his career, Geoffrey has been an advocate for Canadian composers and their music. Choral Canada’s Anacrusis magazine and the American Choral Directors Association Choral Journal have published two of his articles: “Dialogue With Three Distinguished Canadian Choral Composers”, and “Dialogue With Five Contemporary Canadian Composers”. Other published and online articles include “How to Commission a New Piece of Choral Music” and “What Happens to My Royalties When I Die?” The ACDA blog also published his article, “From India Ink to Digital Bits”, which explores the effect of the electronic revolution on music today, and challenges contemporary choral conductors to experiment with the fusion of electronic and choral music!
Geoffrey is an Emeritus Member of the Canadian League of Composers.
Further information and his complete catalogue can be found at www.dgeoffreybell.com
Connect!
For a complete catalogue, to preview more of Geoffrey's music, or to chat about a commission, visit his website at https://www.dgeoffreybell.com. He can be contacted through his website or through Choir Alberta at info [at] choiralberta.ca.