TESTIMONIALS
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As a whole, this music would be most appreciated in a location with high, vaulted ceilings and large stained-glass windows… I can only imagine how beautiful they would sound in a Gothic chapel. Whew!
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There's a Wideness in God's Mercy - Of the pieces you sent, this one seems to be the most accessible (in terms of difficulty). For some reason, some of the accompaniment clusters are reminiscent of Poulenc.
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Amazing Grace gave me many surprises (especially with some of the key changes). I love a musical surprise when it makes sense (most times the contemporary repertoire is not my choice). But I believe that your approach is necessary because of how common this song is and the vast number of arrangements there are.
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Ah, Holy Jesus was my favorite of the bunch! I was, of course, moved by the text; but the setting seemed to fit it so well. I especially like that much of the interpretation is left to the conductor.
I will say, you make music for musicians: that is always a pleasure. Some composers neglect the talent and skills that are present in our church choirs.
Dr. G. Preston Wilson Jr., Music Director, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Fisk University
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[Introits and Response is an] Excellent collection of responses that are doable for all choir levels, for all holidays or Service requirements.
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Lonieta Cornwall, Director of Choral Activities Shaw University, Raleigh NC
For years I’ve incorporated composition into my high school orchestra curriculum, with varying degrees of success. But this year, my students and I were lucky to have Boyd Gibson teach composition using his book Teaching Your Music Students to Compose-A Teacher’s Guide. For the first time, my students were able to write rounds and duets with all the rules and guidelines to make them successful! I will definitely use this guide as a resource each year to help my students create thoughtful, quality compositions.
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Sara Moore, Director of String Orchestra Program Riverside High School, Durham NC
As the director of the youth orchestra that premiered A Hip Hop Fantasy: Stand, I must say with all sincerity, it was met with a resounding standing ovation! This piece has catchy hip hop hooks with a powerful poem accompaniment. My students were challenged, but had fun rehearsing and performing this piece. In times of uncertainty, Gibson's piece is a reminder that we are stronger together. I highly recommend it!
Matt Stutzman, Conductor, Intermediate String Orchestra, Duke University String School
I had the opportunity to review the method books and was quite pleased with the sequential progression of the studies. I have taught instrumental music for many years, finally string instrumental method books that makes sense.
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Katherine Gale Burton, Retired Strings Teacher Philadelphia PA Public Schools
Boyd Gibson's book {Scale Duets} is a must have for every orchestra teacher and for private strings. It is clear, readable, and necessary. Don't be without it!
Dorothy Kitchen, Founder and Director Emeritus Duke University String School
“This collection [Descant Hymnal] will prove an extraordinary companion to any current contemporary or traditional hymnal in print. The descants included are singable for the average to advanced choir, pleasant to the ear, and enhancing to the worship of God by choir and congregation. I served in the parish as priest and Rector where Boyd Gibson is the director of music while he was writing and then making use of these descants week in and week out. Both choir and congregation looked forward to each new descant as it was produced. Now every choir and congregation will have access to the same descants with the publication of this volume.
Timothy Kimbrough, Dean Christ Church Cathedral Nashville, TN
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SIX ORGAN VOLUNTARIES ON HYMNS ABOUT GODS LOVE - This collection of accessible organ music, by Boyd E. Gibson, is based on 6 cherished hymn tunes. As church organ Voluntaries , these will warm the hearts of the congregation. The tunes remain recognizable in modern settings. These arrangements are valuable for every organist looking for fresh treatments of some of the most-loved hymn tunes in the church today. This diverse collection offers both challenge and delight for the contemporary organist.
Dan Long Organist - Hillsborough United Methodist Church Hillsborough, North Carolina
These fanfares are useful in a number of ways – for example, as a brief hymn introduction, as an interlude between verses, and to accompany short processions such as carrying the Gospel to or from the congregation. The hymn tunes are imaginatively set, featuring both homophonic and contrapuntal styles, and hymns that are not especially “fanfarelike” in character are set more as vignettes. The level of difficulty is, at most, moderate for a reasonably accomplished organist. I would certainly recommend this collection as a helpful and interesting service enhancement.
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Celia Lata, Organist, The Church of the Holy Family, Chapel Hill, NC
Improving Ensemble Intonation
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The kids are playing your chorales! I love using your books! Thanks, Boyd
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Jane Francis, Lakewood Montessori, Durham NC
Jesus Lay Yo' Head in duh Window
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It is beautiful!! and so charged with emotion... I love the use of the old Spiritual melody, but the figure of Jesus at "our" window listening to our prayer really touched me.
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Dr. Ariel Quintana, Director of Choral Studies, La Sierra University, Riverside California
I have had the opportunity to watch Boyd work with his students and I am impressed with his passion for his students and the music, as well as his ability to get them to reach toward their fullest potential. I have also had the privilege to conduct one of his compositions [Finale from Gates of Hell] with the Durham Public School Honor's Orchestra. Not only was his work well received by the audience and musicians, but I found the music still going through my head days after the concert was over. Boyd Gibson is a splendid musician and an extraordinary teacher of students of all ages. He has much to offer both students and teachers.
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I have looked at this method book on teaching rhythm and I believe that if you use it as outlined then you and your students will find a significant improvement in their ability to read and understand the rhythms that they will face in their musical development. Boyd Gibson has provided music teachers and students with a wonderful resource to help them to be independent in their ability to read rhythm. His use of progressive melodies built on the same rhythm pattern will help them to internalize the rhythms that they see. I am also fond of the way he has paired the playing in "cut time" with playing in two and triplets with compound meter. If your students will work on these sections by playing them in their pairs they will come to understand how rhythm and meters work together. Boyd has provided varied ways of playing these exercises. There are ensembles and rounds, which will help your students to learn to count while others are playing a different rhythm. I believe that you will find this method book to be the help with which it was intended.
Joseph Eger, Music Director, Symphony of the United Nations