Green Shoots Award: John Rutter

In OldSouth's continuing campaign to not just whine, but to point out and promote people who make huge contributions to the culture, he offers today's nominee, John Rutter, who has just launched his new website.

The bio posted is too modest:

John Rutter was born in London in 1945 and received his first musical education as a chorister at Highgate School.

He went on to study music at Clare College, Cambridge, where he wrote his first published compositions and conducted his first recording while still a student.

His compositional career has embraced both large and small-scale choral works, orchestral and instrumental pieces, a piano concerto, two children’s operas, music for television, and specialist writing for such groups as the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble and the King’s Singers.

His larger choral works, Gloria (1974), Requiem (1985), Magnificat (1990), Psalmfest (1993) and Mass of the Children (2003) have been performed many times in Britain, North America, and a growing number of other countries.

He co-edited four volumes in the Carols for Choirs series with Sir David Willcocks, and, more recently, has edited the first two volumes in the new Oxford Choral Classics series, Opera Choruses (1995) and European Sacred Music (1996).

From 1975 to 1979 he was Director of Music at Clare College, whose choir he directed in a number of broadcasts and recordings.

After giving up the Clare post to allow more time for composition, he formed the Cambridge Singers as a professional chamber choir primarily dedicated to recording, and he now divides his time between composition and conducting.

He has guest-conducted or lectured at many concert halls, universities, churches, music festivals, and conferences in Europe, Africa, North and Central America and Australasia.

In 1980 he was made an honorary Fellow of Westminster Choir College, Princeton, and in 1988 a Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians.

In 1996 the Archbishop of Canterbury conferred a Lambeth Doctorate of Music upon him in recognition of his contribution to church music.

He was honoured in the 2007 Queen’s New Year Honours List, being awarded a CBE for services to music.

John Rutter’s music is published by Oxford University Press, Hinshaw Music Inc. and Collegium Music Publications.

His impact upon the culture will be felt for at least another century, and he provides a model for artistry: First-rate craft, connection with a wide variety of audiences, academic integrity, and entreprenurial skills that make his music available to the world sans government subsidy. As a matter of fact, and blessedly so, the man has really thrived from his creative output. Kudos to him on all counts.

OS has had occasion to meet Mr. Rutter--the handshake/thanks for autographing my score sorts of moments. OS has friends who know the gentleman well, and every report of him speaks of his generosity of spirit, dedication to craft, good humor and modesty.

Now, let's review: Do we want our culture shaped by people like him, or people like Lil' Wayne?

Wry Humor Kudos: NYTimes 'Little Wayne' Update

Let's hear a cheer (of a sort...) for entreprenurial ambition.

(and he had those tats done before he went to jail...)