PROGRAM NOTE
Closer blends together two songs; Draw Me Close by Kelly Carpenter and the hymn Draw Me Nearer (S.A.S.B. 586) by Fanny Crosby and William Howard Doane. Both songs speak of the longing of the Christian to be close to our Saviour.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Gavin Whitehouse was born in Sydney, Australia and studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, gaining a Bachelor of Music Education degree. During his college years, Gavin became a member of the Sydney Staff Songsters and began leading the songster brigade at his corps.
After graduating, he accepted a teaching position at Arndell Anglican College where he taught classroom music as well as directed the college’s bands, choirs, and musicals.
In July 2005, Gavin and his wife, Jennifer, moved to the United States. Gavin worked in the Greater New York Music Department for 10 years where he formed and led the Greater New York Youth Chorus during that time. He also joined the newly formed Eastern Territorial Songsters as their accompanist. In September 2012, he was appointed as their leader and held this position until June 2020.
In September 2015, Gavin moved with his family to Philadelphia where he accepted the role of Divisional Music Director for the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division. In addition, he leads the Pendel Brass and Singers. Gavin and his family attend the Philadelphia Roxborough Corps where he leads the youth music programs and is also the bandmaster.
