In memory of Charles E. Lutton, Sinfonia’s Supreme Secretary-Treasurer from 1919-1949, the Charles E. Lutton Man of Music Award was created by the Executive Committee on March 17, 1951 and intended to be presented to a Sinfonian who, through significant musical activity, has distinguished himself, furthered the cause of music in America, and brought honor to Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. The award has been presented at every National Convention since it’s inception.
We are proud to present the 25th Charles E. Lutton Man of Music Award to Daniel E. Gawthrop.
“Number twenty-five. I don’t have to tell you about the other twenty-four who proceeded me, but I will say, it is a rather intimidating group. I am normally not intimidated by speaking to large crowds. I spent some years of my life prior to becoming a composer as a radio announcer. While I was at WETA FM in Washington D.C. it was typical for me to turn on the microphone and speak to eleven thousand people, and let me tell you, this is easily as intimidating as those eleven thousand.
I am very grateful, more than I can say, for the honor that you do me, and I accept it really in behalf of all of the men of music who are in this room and who have been a part of this glorious organization over its 120 years of history.
There was a word that caught my ear this afternoon as we gathered and that word is ‘sacrifice.’ I love the definition of sacrifice that says ‘To sacrifice is to give up something that you want for something that you want more.’
I think all of those who have received awards this evening have been exemplars of that kind of sacrifice and the Fraternity now asks all of us to go forward and continue to sacrifice in order that music may be the powerful tool that it is. To touch hearts. To lift people up. To leave them changed.
Brothers, we have that power, and with it comes responsibility. I accept mine; I hope you will accept yours. Thank you.”
About Daniel E. Gawthrop
University of Delaware – Xi Mu Chapter – 1997 | National Honorary – Alpha Alpha Chapter – 2018
Composer Daniel E. Gawthrop was born in 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has been the recipient of over one hundred commissions to write original music. His published choral and organ works are in the catalogs of Dunstan House, Alfred Publishing, Alliance Music and others. His a cappella motet Sing Me to Heaven is among the most frequently performed choral pieces of modern times and has sold more than a half million copies.
Gawthrop’s music has premiered in the Concert Hall of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Salt Lake City Mormon Tabernacle, and Washington National Cathedral among dozens of other prestigious venues. His choral pieces have been performed and recorded by such eminent ensembles as The United States Air Force Singing Sergeants, the Gregg Smith Singers, the Turtle Creek Chorale, the Paul Hill Chorale, the American Boychoir, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Cathedral Choral Society (of Washington National Cathedral) and literally hundreds of other groups in the U.S. and abroad.
In addition to his work as a composer, Gawthrop has been active as a broadcaster, clinician and adjudicator, organist, conductor, teacher and writer, including a period as music critic for The Washington Post. Gawthrop is a Life Member of the American Choral Directors Association and a member of The American Guild of Organists.
Gawthrop resides with his wife in southern Idaho a few hours from Yellowstone National Park and approximately halfway between Yosemite and Glacier National Parks.
