William Levi Dawson (composer)
Encyclopedia
William Levi Dawson was an African-American composer, choir director and professor.
, William Dawson later studied at the Chicago Musical College
with professor Felix Borowski
, and then at the American Conservatory of Music
where he received his masters degree. Early in his career he served as a trombonist both with the Redpath Chautauqua and the Chicago Civic Symphony Orchestra. His teaching career began in the Kansas City public school system, which was later followed by a tenure with the Tuskegee Institute from 1931–1956. During this period, it was he who appointed a large number of faculty members that later became well known for their work in the field. Additionally, Dawson also developed the Tuskegee Institute Choir into an internationally renowned ensemble; they were invited to sing at New York City
's Radio City Music Hall
in 1932 for a week of six daily performances.
As a composer, Dawson began at a young age, and it was early on in his compositional career that his Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano was performed by the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra. Besides chamber music, he is also known for his contributions to both orchestral and choral literature. His best known works are arrangements and variations on spiritual
s; his Negro Folk Symphony of 1934 garnered a great deal of attention at its world premiere, under the direction of Leopold Stokowski
with the Philadelphia Orchestra
. The symphony was later revised in 1952 with greater African rhythms inspired by the composer's trip to West Africa. The composition was — the composer conveyed — an attempt to convey the missing elements that were lost when Africans came into bondage outside their homeland. In creating this work, Dawson was influenced by the nationalistic views of Dvořák. Widely performed, his most popular spirituals include "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel
", "Jesus Walked the Lonesome Valley", "Talk about a Child That Do Love Jesus" and "King Jesus Is a-Listening". Dawson was elected to and initiated into the national honorary Alpha Alpha Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
music fraternity in 1977.
Dawson's arrangements of traditional African-American spirituals are widely published in the United States and are regularly performed by school, college and community choral ensembles.
Life
A graduate of the Horner Institute of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of MusicBachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
, William Dawson later studied at the Chicago Musical College
Chicago Musical College
Chicago Musical College is a division of Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt UniversityIt was founded in 1867, less than four decades after the city of Chicago was incorporated...
with professor Felix Borowski
Felix Borowski
Felix Borowski was a British/American composer and teacher.Felix Borowski was of Polish descent but was born in the English village of Burton-in-Kendal, Westmorland. His father, who was quite a musician, was of distinguished Polish stock. His mother was English and very accomplished in music...
, and then at the American Conservatory of Music
American Conservatory of Music
The American Conservatory of Music was a major American school of music founded in 1886 by John James Hattstaedt . The conservatory was incorporated as an Illinois non-profit corporation. It was located in Chicago until 1991 when its Board of Trustees — chaired by Frederic Wilbur Hickman...
where he received his masters degree. Early in his career he served as a trombonist both with the Redpath Chautauqua and the Chicago Civic Symphony Orchestra. His teaching career began in the Kansas City public school system, which was later followed by a tenure with the Tuskegee Institute from 1931–1956. During this period, it was he who appointed a large number of faculty members that later became well known for their work in the field. Additionally, Dawson also developed the Tuskegee Institute Choir into an internationally renowned ensemble; they were invited to sing at New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
in 1932 for a week of six daily performances.
As a composer, Dawson began at a young age, and it was early on in his compositional career that his Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano was performed by the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra. Besides chamber music, he is also known for his contributions to both orchestral and choral literature. His best known works are arrangements and variations on spiritual
Spiritual (music)
Spirituals are religious songs which were created by enslaved African people in America.-Terminology and origin:...
s; his Negro Folk Symphony of 1934 garnered a great deal of attention at its world premiere, under the direction of Leopold Stokowski
Leopold Stokowski
Leopold Anthony Stokowski was a British-born, naturalised American orchestral conductor, well known for his free-hand performing style that spurned the traditional baton and for obtaining a characteristically sumptuous sound from many of the great orchestras he conducted.In America, Stokowski...
with the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
. The symphony was later revised in 1952 with greater African rhythms inspired by the composer's trip to West Africa. The composition was — the composer conveyed — an attempt to convey the missing elements that were lost when Africans came into bondage outside their homeland. In creating this work, Dawson was influenced by the nationalistic views of Dvořák. Widely performed, his most popular spirituals include "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel
Ezekiel Saw the Wheel
Ezekiel Saw the Wheel is a famous folk song, covered by such artists as Woody Guthrie, Paul Robeson, John Lee Hooker, the Dixie Hummingbirds, the Tillers, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and Gold City...
", "Jesus Walked the Lonesome Valley", "Talk about a Child That Do Love Jesus" and "King Jesus Is a-Listening". Dawson was elected to and initiated into the national honorary Alpha Alpha Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is an American collegiate social fraternity for men with a special interest in music...
music fraternity in 1977.
Dawson's arrangements of traditional African-American spirituals are widely published in the United States and are regularly performed by school, college and community choral ensembles.
Honors
- In honor of Dawson's impact on male choral music, on February 25, 1968 he was awarded the prestigious University of Pennsylvania Glee Club Award of Merit. Beginning in 1964, this award "Established to bring a declaration of appreciation to an individual each year that has made a significant contribution to the world of music and helped to create a climate in which our talents may find valid expression."
Notable works
- Negro Folk Symphony (1934)
- I. The Bond of Africa
- II. Hope in the Night
- III. O Let Me Shine!
- Jesus Walked the Lonesome Valley
- Talk about a Child That Do Love Jesus
- King Jesus Is a-Listening.
- Soon Ah Will Be Done-a wid daTroubles Of The World