William Dawson
1899 - 1990
American
Biography
William Dawson was born in Anniston, Alabama. A graduate of the Horner Institute of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Music, Dawson later studied at the Chicago Musical College with professor Felix Borowski, and then at the American Conservatory of Music where he received his master's degree. Early in his career he served as a trombonist both with the Redpath Chautauqua and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. His teaching career began in the Kansas City public school system, followed by the Tuskegee Institute, where he developed its 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, he was recognized for his contributions to both orchestral and choral literature. His best-known works are arrangements of and variations on spirituals. His Negro Folk Symphony of 1934 garnered a great deal of attention at its world premiere by Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The symphony was revised in 1952 with added African rhythms inspired by the composer's trip to West Africa.
He died, aged 90, in Montgomery, Alabama.
News
Performances
21st September 2024
- PERFORMERS
- Suburban Symphony Orchestra
- CONDUCTOR
- Domenico Boyagian
- LOCATION
- Gospel Choir Church, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
1st February 2025
- PERFORMERS
- Florida State University Symphony Orchestra
- CONDUCTOR
- Alexander Jimenez
- LOCATION
- Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, Tallahassee, FL, United States of America
8th February 2025
- PERFORMERS
- New World Symphony
- CONDUCTOR
- Jeri Lynne Johnson
- LOCATION
- New World Center, Miami Beach, FL, United States of America
9th February 2025
- PERFORMERS
- New World Symphony
- CONDUCTOR
- Jeri Lynne Johnson
- LOCATION
- New World Center, Miami Beach, FL, United States of America
10th February 2025
- PERFORMERS
- Montgomery Symphony Orchestra
- CONDUCTOR
- Jamie Reeves
- LOCATION
- Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts, Montgomery, AL, United States of America
Features
- Independent Repertoire: Engaging with American Musical Traditions
- Aspirations to craft a uniquely “American” classical sound, nostalgia for the music of our childhoods, desire to imagine the sounds of our past, and attempts to honor the influence of musical colleagues: these are some of the motives behind the following works, which pay tribute to the musical heritage of the United States.
- The Best Recordings of 2023 from Wise Music Classical
- Wise Music Classical invites you to enjoy a selection of the best recordings of 2023, featuring composers from across our international family of publishing houses.
- Black History Month
- Celebrate Black History Month: explore a curated playlist from Wise Music Classical.