Music: History, Composers, and Performers: Biographies

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music Further reading

Robert Lawson Shaw

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Robert Lawson Shaw 1916–99, American conductor, b. Red Bluff, Calif. Moving to New York City after college, he founded and led the Fred Waring Glee Club (1938–45) and the Collegiate Chorale (1941–54). In 1946 he became head of the choral division of the Julliard School, a post he held until 1950. Two years later he organized the Robert Shaw Chorale, which became one of America's most illustrious vocal groups and made his name virtually synonymous with choral singing. Shaw innovatively arranged his singers in quartets of bass, tenor, alto, and soprano instead of the traditional four blocks of similar voices, creating a richer vocal sound. His chorale developed a diverse repertoire, commissioned new works, made many recordings, and toured nationally and internationally until 1966. Also active in orchestral music, Shaw conducted the San Diego Symphony (1953–58), was associate conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra (1956–67) under George Szell , and directed (1967–88) the Atlanta Symphony, transforming it into a respected professional ensemble.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Robert Lawson Shaw." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Robert Lawson Shaw." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-ShawRobt.html

"Robert Lawson Shaw." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-ShawRobt.html

Learn more about citation styles

Shaw, Robert (Lawson)

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music | 1996 | | Copyright

Shaw, Robert (Lawson) (b Red Bluff, Calif., 1916; d New Haven, Conn., 1999). Amer. cond., particularly of choirs. Founder and cond. Collegiate Chorale, NY, 1941–54. Cond., Robert Shaw Chorale 1948–66. Taught at Juilliard Sch. Cond. San Diego SO 1953–7. Ass. cond. Cleveland Orch., 1956–67. Cond. Atlanta SO 1967–88. One of most gifted of choral conductors and trainers. First prof. cond. in USA to perf. Bach's Mass in B minor and Handel's Messiah with small forces.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "Shaw, Robert (Lawson)." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "Shaw, Robert (Lawson)." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-ShawRobertLawson.html

MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "Shaw, Robert (Lawson)." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-ShawRobertLawson.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Passages Magazine article from: American Music Teacher; 4/1/1999
	YFUC Briefing: Dairy cattle stockjudging results.(Features) Newspaper article from: The News Letter (Belfast, Northern Ireland); 5/13/2000
	Weddings. Magazine article from: Town & Country; 9/1/2005