Biography:

Sarah Gibson (1986 – July 14, 2024) was an American pianist and composer. As a pianist, she focused on new music. Her compositions have been performed throughout the U.S. and in Europe.

Life & Career

Gibson studied piano and composition at Indiana University and at the University of Southern California.^[1] She worked as assistant director for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Composer Fellowship Program, alongside director Andrew Norman,^[2] and as assistant professor in of composition theory at California State University and the Long Beach Bob Cole Conservatory of Music where she also lead the New Music Ensemble.^[1]

Gibson was a member of the PianoSpheres organizatipon for new music for decades, and a featured artist there from 2019. She played in a piano duo, HOCKET, with pianist and composer Thomas Kotcheff. They performed at festivals including the MATA Festival in New York City, the Noon to Midnight of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Eighth Blackbird Creative Lab, and Other Minds Festival.^[1] She has performed across the U.S. and in Europe.^[3]

As a composer, she received commissions from the League of American Orchestras, the Toulmin Foundation, Tanglewood Music Center, Aspen Music Festival and School, the Grossman Ensemble and the Seattle Symphony, among others.^[1] Her composition to the world for baritone and tongue drum was published by Ries & Erler.^[3] She was the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra‘s sound investment composer in the 2018/19 season.^[2]

Gibson died, after a struggle with cancer for several months, at home on July 14, 2024, at the age of 38.^[1][4]

Gibson was honored by the American Composers Orchestra Underwood New Music Readings. She received the Victor Herbert Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and the NFMC Marion Richter American Music Composition Award. She won the composition contest of the Percussive Arts Society.^[2]

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