Background
Bezanson, Philip Thomas was born on January 6, 1916 in Athol, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Claude Edward and Blanche (Redden) Bezanson.
Bezanson, Philip Thomas was born on January 6, 1916 in Athol, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Claude Edward and Blanche (Redden) Bezanson.
Born in Athol, Massachusetts, he graduated from Yale University School of Music in 1940 and after war services enrolled in the graduate program of composition at the State University of Iowa where he joined its faculty eight years later. In 1951 he received his Doctor of Philosophy and later became head of composition.
He was made a professor in 1961. He was given a Distinguished Alumnus award by Yale. His most famous work is perhaps the opera Golden Child, written in 1960 to a libretto by Paul Engle.
The work was commissioned by the National Broadcasting Company Opera Theatre and first performed on television on the Hallmark Hall of Fame program
Several of his vocal and choral works use texts by Engle as well. His notable students included Olly Wilson, M. William Karlins, and James Yannatos.
He was a National Patron of Delta Omicron, an international professional music fraternity.
Member Massachusetts Council on Arts and Humanities, 1966-1969. Served with United States Naval Reserve, 1945-1946. Bezanson Recital Hall U. Massachusetts named in his honor.
Guggenheim fellow, 1967-1968.
Member American Composers Alliance, Yale School Music Alumni Association (certificate of merit award 1974). Publns. include: Prelume and Dance for Brass Sextet, 1961.
Married Lillian Elizabeth Carlson, November 28, 1940. Children: Carol Ann (Mistress William Arthur Garrabrant), Thomas Edward.