Beloved Musician, Composer, and Professor, C. Griffith Bratt joined the heavenly chorus on Easter Sunday, he was 99 years old. We all join in offering our prayers for his lovely wife, Mary, and the rest of his family, but know that our dear friend is now living a resurrected life in heaven (and as his son so aptly put it, “is now playing the organ for Jesus”!!). We are so grateful to him for his wonderful contribution to sacred music – both choral and organ, and for his long time friendship with all of us at Paraclete. He was composing right up until the end, and we will be honoring his legacy by continuing to publish his music that was left behind. We shall miss him! Requiescant in Pace, Grif.
C. Griffith Bratt led the Boise State Department of Music for 30 years. “Grif” Bratt was hired in 1946 by President Eugene Chaffee to head the music department for Boise Junior College. He served as chair of the department until 1970 and he taught music theory, originated the Meistersingers choral group and was named composer in residence by the National Music Federation. He successfully led the department through the transition to a four-year program before retiring from the university in 1976.
Bratt also served as organist and choirmaster at Boise’s St. Michael’s Cathedral for 52 years and performed Sunday afternoon organ concerts that were broadcast by radio from what is now the Hemingway Western Studies Center. He also was awarded emeritus status at the cathedral. Since retiring from Boise State, Bratt and his wife, Mary, have continued to call Boise home. As a composer, he has amassed four full operas, two symphonies and hundreds of vocal, choral and chamber works. He has published several anthems and organ works with Paraclete Press Sacred Music.
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