Dorothy Gates was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Like her fellow countryman, George Bernard Shaw, she believes in the power of art to see your soul and transform the world. Dorothy received her Bachelor of Music degree in Composition and Trombone Performance from Queens University Belfast, Master of Music degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Michigan and her PhD in Composition from the University of Salford. Her principal composition teachers were Kevin Volans, George Wilson, Joseph Turrin and Peter Graham.

Dorothy has produced works in many genres. Brandywine Brass commissioned and premiered the brass quintet A Sea Suite in Delaware in February 2020; the New York Philharmonic Brass & Percussion premiered the Brass Ensemble version of The Holly & the Ivy with trombone soloist Wycliffe Gordon in December 2019; the US Army Band “Pershings Own,” recently premiered the Concert Band version of Servant of Peace – Concerto for Trombone, with Soloist Dr. Natalie Mannix (Professor University North Texas) at the American Trombone Workshop in Arlington, Virginia in March 2018.

Other recent commissions include, Between Friends, a suite for Brass Trio (Commissioned by Lantana Trio); Servant of Peace - Concerto for Trombone & Chamber Orchestra, for trombone soloist Thomas Hultén and the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (commissioned by the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra & the Wortham Foundation); Another World – Concerto for Brass Quintet & Concert Band, (commissioned by the Royal Air Force); State of Mind – Suite for Symphonic Brass Choir for Monarch Brass, (commissioned by the International Women’s Brass Conference); Imaginings – Solo for French Horn & Piano, (commissioned by Michelle Baker of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New York).

Recent CD releases include, Proclamation – The Glory of Jehovah (New York Staff Band); Pulse – The Living God (International Staff Band); Fairey Tales, Volume 2 - Shenandoah (The Fairey Band); and Breaking Ground – A Celebration of Women Composers – Shaken Not Stirred (Natalie Mannix & Stephanie Bruning).

Dorothy is the Senior Music Producer for The Salvation Army's Eastern Territory in New York and has been the Composer-in-Residence for the New York Staff Band since 2002. Dorothy is the first woman Composer/Editor to be employed by The Salvation Army in this role. She plays trombone with the New York Staff Band, and just recently completed ten years as the Director of the New York Staff Band Chorus. Dorothy, her husband Mark and beagle Jackson live in Warwick, NY.

Website: DorothyGates.com/