Through his numerous a cappella choral arrangements, African-American composer William Levi Dawson (1899-1990) helped to preserve and promote the rich tradition of spirituals. When Dawson was awarded an honorary doctor of music degree from Ithaca College, president James J. Whalen honored this legacy eloquently, stating,
You, William Dawson, have spent a lifetime immersed in the folk music of your peoples…You have committed your life to bringing this music of the heart, this music of the soul, to the young of all races, so that their faith and their hopes will grow, so that their ideas and dreams will flourish.
Born in Anniston, Alabama, Dawson ran away from home at the age of 13 to study music at Tuskegee Institute (now University). At the time, the Institute, headed by Booker T. Washington, was the only school in the area that accepted African American students. Dawson funded his tuition by working on the school’s farm.
Between 1926 and 1930, Dawson performed as first trombone of the Chicago Civic Orchestra. He received international acclaim for his Negro Folk Symphony, which was premiered by Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra in November of 1934. Returning to Tuskegee, Dawson developed and conducted a renowned 100 member choir from 1931 to 1956.
Ezekiel Saw de Wheel
Ain’a That Good News
Every Time I Feel the Spirit
Recordings
- The Spirituals of William L. Dawson, Anton Armstrong, The St. Olaf Choir Amazon