Reid N. Nibley
Encyclopedia
Richard Neibaur Nibley (5 January 192325 February 2008) was an American
pianist
, composer
and music educator. He wrote the words and music to the Latter-day Saint hymn
"I Know My Father Lives".
Nibley was born to Alexander Nibley and his wife Agnes Sloan. He was the younger brother of Hugh Nibley
. Nibley's ancestry was Scottish
, English
and Jewish.
Nibley became involved in music while still a child. He made his debut with the Glendale Symphony Orchestra at age eleven, and performed as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
at age 17. He was the principal pianist for the Utah Symphony Orchestra
for ten years. Among Nibley's later instructors were Leroy J. Robertson and Gyorgy Sandor
.
Nibley was a professor at the University of Utah
, The University of Michigan and Brigham Young University
(BYU). At BYU, Nibley also held the position of pianist-in-residence. Among Nibley's students at BYU was Kevin Kenner
.
Nibley married Marjorie McBride in 1947 and they had six children: Stephen, Breta, Richard, Garn, Virginia, and Jonathan. Marjorie died in 2000. In 2001, Nibley married Nona Gallacher.
Nibley's hymn "I Know My Father Lives" is in both the Primary Children's Songbook
and the 1985 hymnal
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1998, a CD of some of Nibley's works, Quiet Classics: Piano Meditations, was released. Nibley also wrote at least one sonata.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pianist
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and music educator. He wrote the words and music to the Latter-day Saint hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
"I Know My Father Lives".
Nibley was born to Alexander Nibley and his wife Agnes Sloan. He was the younger brother of Hugh Nibley
Hugh Nibley
Hugh Winder Nibley was an American author, Mormon apologist, and professor at Brigham Young University...
. Nibley's ancestry was Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Jewish.
Nibley became involved in music while still a child. He made his debut with the Glendale Symphony Orchestra at age eleven, and performed as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Los Angeles Philharmonic is an American orchestra based in Los Angeles, California, United States. It has a regular season of concerts from October through June at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and a summer season at the Hollywood Bowl from July through September...
at age 17. He was the principal pianist for the Utah Symphony Orchestra
Utah Symphony Orchestra
-History:The first attempt to create a symphony group in the Utah area occurred in 1892, before Utah was a state. The Salt Lake Symphony was created and presented just one concert before disbanding. In 1902 the Salt Lake Symphony Orchestra was formed, and it remained in existence until 1911...
for ten years. Among Nibley's later instructors were Leroy J. Robertson and Gyorgy Sandor
György Sándor
György Sándor was a Hungarian pianist, writer, student and friend of Béla Bartók, and champion of his music.- Early years :...
.
Nibley was a professor at the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
, The University of Michigan and Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
(BYU). At BYU, Nibley also held the position of pianist-in-residence. Among Nibley's students at BYU was Kevin Kenner
Kevin Kenner
Kevin Kenner is an American concert pianist.-Biography:At the age of 17, Kenner participated in the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw and was awarded the 10th prize and a special prize from the jury called Honorable Mention...
.
Nibley married Marjorie McBride in 1947 and they had six children: Stephen, Breta, Richard, Garn, Virginia, and Jonathan. Marjorie died in 2000. In 2001, Nibley married Nona Gallacher.
Nibley's hymn "I Know My Father Lives" is in both the Primary Children's Songbook
Children's Songbook
The Children's Songbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the official songbook for children in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was first published in English in 1989...
and the 1985 hymnal
Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1985 book)
Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the official hymn book of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ....
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1998, a CD of some of Nibley's works, Quiet Classics: Piano Meditations, was released. Nibley also wrote at least one sonata.