BALES, GERALD, 1919-2002
MUS 17

Gerald Bales fonds.  - 1937-1988.  - 43 cm of textual records. 

Biographical sketch
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Gerald Bales began to study music at a very early age with his mother, and performed for the first time in public at the age of seven, in a piano recital.  From 1936 to 1940 he studied piano, organ, writing and conducting at the Toronto Conservatory of Music.  In 1937 he began his career as an organist and choirmaster at the Anglican church of St.  Anne's.  The artist subsequently held the same position in succession at various churches:  Rosedale United, St.  Andrew's Presbyterian in Toronto, the Cathedral of the Redeemer in Calgary, St.  Mark's Cathedral in Minneapolis, and Trinity Anglican Church in Ottawa.  From 1971 to 1984 he taught organ, choral conducting and orchestration at the University of Ottawa.  He moved to London, Ontario in 1984, and was an member of the Canadian Music Council.  He has composed over 120 works for piano, organ, voice, orchestra and chamber orchestra. 

Scope and content
The fonds consists of records pertaining to Gerald Bale's activities as a composer:  autograph manuscripts of 26 compositions:  Essay for Strings, Psalm-Cantata, Nocturne for Orchestra, Concerto for Organ and String Orchestra, etc.; collection of music manuscripts (dedicated and/or annotated) by various Canadian musicians, including Frederick Karam, Gerald Near, Florence Clark, Eugene Hill and George Coutts. 

Immediate source of acquisition:  acquired from Catherine Willis in 1988 and 1989, and from Gerald Bales, in several accessions, between 1989 and 1992. 

Restrictions:  none. 

Finding aids:  provisional description. 

Accruals:  further accessions expected.