Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Tuskegee University Remembers William Levi Dawson, African American Composer


[The Spirituals of William L. Dawson; The St. Olaf Choir; Anton Armstrong, conductor; Marvis Martin, soprano; St. Olaf Records 2159 (1997)]


Tuskegee University
Annual lecture, concert celebrate legacy of famed composer Dawson

Tuskegee, Ala. (April 6, 2008) - The 17
th Annual William Levi Dawson Lecture was held on April 4 in the University Chapel. The lecture was given by Clyde Owen Jackson, a former choir student of the legendary composer Dawson and former choir director, himself.

"In all my years of giving lectures and workshop across the U.S., I usually talk about Dawson's works and genius arrangements of the Negro Folk Songs," Jackson said to an audience of students, faculty and alumni. "This year, I want to focus on the man and his students."

Jackson's lecture, "Embrace the Light," covered the years of Dawson's tenure as director of the world-renowned Golden Voices Choir at Tuskegee (1931-1970). According to Jackson, the composer was very dedicated to the education of his many students, something that Jackson was able to recognize right away. Full Post

[The African American composer and choral director William Levi Dawson (1899-1990) is profiled at AfriClassical.com]







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