William L. Dawson

A graduate of the Horner Institute of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Music, William Levi 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 choir, 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 premier, under the direction of Leopold Stokowski with the Philadelphia Orchestra. The symphony was later revised in 1952 with greater African rhythms inspired by the composers trip to West Africa. The composition was - the composer conveye - an attempt to convey the missing elements that were lost when Africans came into bondage outside of their homeland. In creating this work, Dawson was influenced by the nationalistic views of Dvorˇák. Widely performed, his most popular spirituals include Jesus Walked the Lonesome Valley, Talk about a Child That Do Love Jesus and King Jesus Is a-Listening.

Discography

St Olaf Choir: Spirituals of William Dawson

Ain'a That Good News Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Soon Ah Will Be Done In His Care-O Hail Mary Mary Had A Baby Behold The Star There Is A Balm In Gilead Ev'ry time I Feel The Spirit Steal Away Ezekiel Saw De Wheel

William Levi Dawson, born in 1899, was educated at Tuskegee Institute, the Horner Institute of Fine Arts, and the American Conservatory, and wrote his own "Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony" in 1934. He began publishing and recording his arrangements of traditional African-American spirituals in 1955, lovingly recorded here by the acclaimed St. Olaf Choir with Marvis Martin, soprano. Included are "Ain'-a That Good News," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Soon Ah Will Be Done," "In His Care-O," "Hail Mary," "Mary Had A Baby," "Behold The Star," "There Is A Balm In Gilead," "Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit," "Steal Away" and "Ezekiel Saw de Wheel." All a cappella, nice liner notes, great music!

Listen to Ain'a That Good News in Real Audio

Tuskegee Institute Choir - William Dawson: Spirituals

Ezekiel Saw De Wheel Deep River I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray There Is A Balm In Gilead Hail Mary I've Been 'Buked Behold The Star Ev'ry Time I Hear The Spirit Were You There I Want To Be Ready Listen To The Lambs Ain'a That Good News Mary Had A Baby King Jesus Is A'Listening Rockin' Jerusalem

The Tuskegee (Alabama) Institute Choir, whose first singers were organized by school founder Booker T. Washington, is steeped in more than a century of pride and the richest of choral traditions. Booker insisted on the singing of African American spirituals by everyone at the weekly chapel worship services, a tradition that continues today. The Choir's most renowned director, composer and education William L. Dawson led the Choir into a new era in 1932, with their appearance at the opening of Radio City Music Hall in NYC, which would lead to performances before Presidents, radio and television audiences and worldwide prestige. There are 15 spirituals here, with innovative arrangements, powerful harmonies and solos; all sung with deep feeling and spirit. Simply the best versions we've heard of classic standards "Ezekiel Saw De Wheel," "Deep River," "There is a Balm in Gilead," "Ev'ry Time I Hear the Spirit," "Were You There," "Ain'a That Good News," "Mary Had A Baby" "King Jesus is A-Listening" and "Rockin' Jerusalem." One of the best, most authentic Gospel CDs of the year, by one of America's oldest and most respected Gospel choirs!

Listen to Ain'a That Good News in Real Audio

William Dawson: Tuskegee A Cappella Choral Series for Mixed Voices

Ain'-A That Good News Soon-Ah Will Be Done Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Behold The Star Hail Mary Ezekiel Saw De Wheel Steal Away There Is A Balm In Gilead Oh, What a Beautiful City SATB a cappella

William Levi Dawson, born in 1899, was educated at Tuskegee Institute, the Horner Institute of Fine Arts, and the American Conservatory, and wrote his own "Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony" in 1934. He began publishing and recording his arrangements of traditional African-American spirituals in 1955 and they are now considered to be some of the finest examples of the genre. Here are a selection of his finest works for unaccompanied mixed voices. Sing out Sisters! Recommended!

William Dawson: Dawson Spirituals Vol 1

Ain'-a That Good News Hail Mary! Steal Away In His Care-O Mary Had A Baby Ezekiel Saw De Wheel

The beloved spiritual arrangements and original compositions of William L. Dawson have been celebrated by choirs and audiences since they were first published, and have become among the most widely performed choral works for concert, contest, and festival settings. These new compilations, Dawson Spirituals, Volumes 1 & 2, each feature six favorites for Mixed Chorus (SATB) that have been carefully re-engraved to feature clean and clear notation. Not only do they provide tremendous readability and clarity, but they remain historically relevant. Every choir will want copies of these collections - William L. Dawson's legacy is everlasting, and his works will be in demand for generations to come!

William Dawson: Dawson Spirituals Vol 2

Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit I Wan' To Be Ready Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Soon Ah Will Be Done There Is A Balm In Gilead Behold The Star

The beloved spiritual arrangements and original compositions of William L. Dawson have been celebrated by choirs and audiences since they were first published, and have become among the most widely performed choral works for concert, contest, and festival settings. These new compilations, Dawson Spirituals, Volumes 1 & 2, each feature six favorites for Mixed Chorus (SATB) that have been carefully re-engraved to feature clean and clear notation. Not only do they provide tremendous readability and clarity, but they remain historically relevant. Every choir will want copies of these collections - William L. Dawson's legacy is everlasting, and his works will be in demand for generations to come!

I Wan' To Be Ready You Got To Reap Just What You Sow Slumber Song Feed-A My Sheep Out In The Fields

Here are a selection of his works with piano accompaniment. When they are as good as this we have to forgo our a cappella only policy!

Talk About A Child That Do Love Jesus King Jesus Is A-Listening My Lord, What A Mourning I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray SATB

There Is A Balm In Gilead Steal Away Hail Mary Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit Soon-Ah Will Be Done Ain'-A That Good News! TTBB

William Levi Dawson, born in 1899, was educated at Tuskegee Institute, the Horner Institute of Fine Arts, and the American Conservatory, and wrote his own "Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony" in 1934. He began publishing and recording his arrangements of traditional African-American spirituals in 1955 and they are now considered to be some of the finest examples of the genre. Here are a selection of his finest works for unaccomapnied male voices. Recommended!

The Rugged Yank Feed-A My Sheep Slumber Song Dorabella You Got To Reap Just What You Sow I Wan' To Be Ready TTBB

Here are a selection of his works with piano accompaniment. When they are as good as this we have to forgo our a cappella only policy!

William Dawson: Tuskegee A Cappella Choral Series for Women

Ain'-A That Good News! Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit Swing Low, Sweet Chariot There Is A Balm In Gilead SSAA

William Levi Dawson, born in 1899, was educated at Tuskegee Institute, the Horner Institute of Fine Arts, and the American Conservatory, and wrote his own "Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony" in 1934. He began publishing and recording his arrangements of traditional African-American spirituals in 1955 and they are now considered to be some of the finest examples of the genre. Here are a selection of his finest works for unaccompanied female voices. Sing out Sisters! Recommended!

I Wan' To Be Ready You Got To Reap Just What You Sow Slumber Song Feed-A My Sheep Out In The Fields

Here are a selection of his works with piano accompaniment. When they are as good as this we have to forgo our a cappella only policy!

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