Gilbert Vinter
Encyclopedia
Gilbert Vinter was an English conductor and composer, most celebrated for his compositions for brass bands.
As a youth, Vinter was a chorister at Lincoln Cathedral
, and eventually became Head Chorister there. He later became a bassoon
ist. In 1930, he joined the BBC Military Band, where he did much of his early conducting. It was during that time that he also began to compose. During World War II
, Vinter played in The Central Band of the RAF
and later led several other RAF bands. He was the first principal conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra
, from 1952 to 1953.
In 1960, The Daily Herald newspaper and sponsors of brass band contests, commissioned Vinter to write his first major work for brass band, the result of which was Salute to Youth. Vinter wrote other works for brass band, including:
Vinter did not attend the premiere of Spectrum due to ill health. His other works include three brass quartets:
As a youth, Vinter was a chorister at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is a historic Anglican cathedral in Lincoln in England and seat of the Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 249 years . The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt...
, and eventually became Head Chorister there. He later became a bassoon
Bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature...
ist. In 1930, he joined the BBC Military Band, where he did much of his early conducting. It was during that time that he also began to compose. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Vinter played in The Central Band of the RAF
The Central Band of the RAF
The Central Band of the Royal Air Force is a military band, and the RAF's main band. It has brass, percussion and woodwind instruments. Like the RAF's two other bands, the Central Band is part of the Royal Air Force Music Services...
and later led several other RAF bands. He was the first principal conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra
BBC Concert Orchestra
The BBC Concert Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London, one of the British Broadcasting Corporation's five radio orchestras. With around fifty players, it is the only one of the five which is not a full-scale symphony orchestra....
, from 1952 to 1953.
In 1960, The Daily Herald newspaper and sponsors of brass band contests, commissioned Vinter to write his first major work for brass band, the result of which was Salute to Youth. Vinter wrote other works for brass band, including:
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Vinter did not attend the premiere of Spectrum due to ill health. His other works include three brass quartets:
- Elegy and Rondo (written at the request of the GUS (Footwear) Band Quartet to play at the 1966 National Brass Quartet Championship)
- Fancy's Knell (written for the 1967 Championship)
- Alla Burlesca (written for the 1968 Championship).