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Artist
William Dawson
12+ albums
about
William Levi Dawson (September 26, 1899 β May 2, 1990) was an African-American composer, choir director and professor. Dawson was born in Anniston, Alabama. A graduate of the Horner Institute of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Music, 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 Civic Orchestra of Chicago. His teaching career began in the Kansas City public school system, which was later followed by a tenure with the Tuskegee Institute from 1931β1956. 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 spirituals; his Negro Folk Symphony of 1934 garnered a great deal of attention at its world premiere, under the direction of
top songs
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Negro Folk Symphony: I. The Bond of Africa
8022Negro Folk Symphony: II. Hope in the Night
7193Negro Folk Symphony: III. O, le' me shine, shine like a Morning Star!
5564Soon Ah Will Be Done
4005Negro Folk Symphony: III. O, Le' Me Shine, Shine Like a Morning Star! - Live
2496Negro Folk Symphony: III. O Let Me Shine!
2097Negro Folk Symphony: I. The Bond of Africa - Live
1348Ain't A That Good News
1289Negro Folk Symphony: II. Hope in the Night - Live
11310Mary Had A Baby
74albums
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Dawson: Negro Folk Symphony / Ellington: Suite From The River / Solitude / Harlem
Dawson: Negro Folk Symphony: III. O, Le' Me Shine, Shine Like a Morning Star! (Live)
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A Christmas Celebration
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Christmas Vespers Selections from 2009 & 2010
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Dawson & Kay: Orchestral Works
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A Cappella Magic
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Still: Symphony No. 2 / Dawson: Negro Folk Symphony / Ellington: Harlem
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Pleasures Of Their Company
Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference 2011 β Illinois Honors Chorus / Illinois All-State Chorus
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Peace I Leave With You
Negro Folk Symphony
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Stockholm University Singers: A Noble Choir