Robert M. Cundick

Robert Milton Cundick Sr. (November 26, 1926 – January 7, 2016) was a Latter-day Saint composer. Cundick's interest in music started at a young age, and he studied under Mormon Tabernacle organist Alexander Schreiner and later under Leroy J. Robertson. He also served for many years as an organist at the Salt Lake Tabernacle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). This included accompanying the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and playing organ solos on the weekly broadcast, Music & the Spoken Word. Cundick served in World War II and enrolled at the University of Utah where he received his BFA, MFA, and PhD. He joined the music faculty at Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1957 but his work there was interrupted due to various callings by LDS Church leaders. After his retirement, Cundick continued to contribute to music in the LDS Church. In his personal life, he married his organ student Charlotte Clark while he was a student at the University of Utah. He died in 2016 at the age of 89.

Cundick was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1926. He spent his childhood in Sandy, Utah. His parents, Milton and Florence Pierson Cundick, were both faithful and devoted members of the LDS Church, and the standards of the church were a major influence on his life. His interest in music began early in life as he played in bands and orchestras, as well as serving as the organist for weekly church services (by age 12 he had become organist for his congregation). As his organ skills progressed, he became a student of Mormon Tabernacle Organist Alexander Schreiner.

After serving in the United States Merchant Marine during World War II, Cundick immediately enrolled at the University of Utah, despite the fact that his Merchant Marine service was not covered by the G.I. Bill of Rights. Cundick worked to pay for his education, and received his BFA, MFA, and eventual PhD in Music Composition from the university. He studied under the tutelage of internationally famous composer Leroy J. Robertson.

It was during his time as a university student that Cundick married his wife, Charlotte (Cholly) Clark. Clark was an organ student of Cundick’s. The couple made their home in Salt Lake City, where Cundick was able to continue his university studies.

Cundick joined the music faculty at BYU in 1957.

In 1962, LDS Church president David O. McKay called Cundick and his family (including five children ages 5–11) to go to London, England, to serve as the organist at the new Hyde Park Chapel. While in England, Cundick appeared in concert at St. Paul's Cathedral and King's College, Cambridge, in addition to a BBC broadcast and his daily recitals at Hyde Park Chapel.

After completing this two-year mission, Cundick and his family returned to Provo, Utah, where he resumed his teaching and compositional activity at BYU. This was interrupted when Cundick was called to serve as an organist at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, located on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. He served for 27 years.

Following his retirement in 1991, Cundick and his wife were called to serve as Directors of Hosting at the BYU Jerusalem Center in Jerusalem.