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William Levi Dawson

William Levi Dawson composer / arranger

date of birth: 26.09.1899
date of death: 02.05.1990

Known and revered the world over, William Levi Dawson was one of the greatest contributors to the art of American choral music. Deeply rooted in the flowering era of the American a cappella choir and African-American folk traditions, William Dawson fashioned the most widely performed selection of such original American choral music, the Tuskegee Choir Series, now published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company.

Born in Anniston, Alabama in 1899, Dawson ran away from home at the age of 13 to attend the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, the only school in the area at that time that would accept African-American students. He financed his education by working on the school’s farm, and was a member of Tuskegee’s band and orchestra.

After completing his Tuskegee education in 1921, Dawson became the Director of Music at Lincoln High School in Kansas City and for four years supervised instrumental music in the elementary schools and conducted school choirs. He continued his own musical studies at the Horner Institute of Fine Arts in Kansas City, where he graduated with honors in composition.

Dawson’s outstanding talent in composition won him a scholarship from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago where, in 1927 he earned a Master of Music degree. His skill as a trombonist earned him an appointment as a first trombonist in the Chicago Civic Orchestra from 1926 through 1930. During this period, he became Bandmaster Designate for the 1933 World’s Fair by winning a composition contest conducted by the Chicago Daily News.

William Dawson received international acclaim with his most important orchestral work, “Negro Folk Symphony.” This symphony, the first work of its nature by an African-American composer incorporating authentic African-American folk melodies in a symphonic form, was premiered by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of famed conductor Leopold Stokowski in November 1934. Mr. Stokowski noted, “ He has voiced the spirit of his people struggling in a new land; the ancient voice of Africa transferred to America.”

Dawson returned to the Tuskegee Institute where he developed and conducted the 100 member choir from 1931 to 1956 and began a touring program which established their world-wide reputation. By invitation, they performed for the opening of New York City’s Radio City Music Hall (’32-’33); at the White House for Presidents Hoover (’32) and Roosevelt (’33); at Carnegie Hall; atht he Metropolitan Opera House; and over regular radio broadcasts for NBC, CBS, and ABC (’37-’51). During this time he began to write extensively for vocal and choral performances. Among his many compositions are the world-famous arrangements of spirituals Ain’a That Good News, Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Ezekiel Saw De Wheel, Mary Had a Baby, and There is a Balm in Gilead.

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Soon ah will be done for mixed choir - William Levi Dawson
SATB Soon ah will be don' A-wid de troubles ob de worl', Troubles ob de worl', De troubles ob de worl'. Soon ah will be don' A-wid de troubles ob de worl', Goin' home t'live wid God. Soon ah will be don' A-wid de troubles ob de worl', Troubles ob de worl', De troubles ob de worl'. Soon ah will be don' A-wid de troubles ob de worl', Goin' home t'live wid God. ...
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Duration: 5:24 min
Difficulty: 3+
Composer: William Levi Dawson
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Article Nr: 461169
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Ev'ry Time I feel the Spirit for mixed chorus - Spiritual / Arr. William Levi Dawson

Ev'ry Time I feel the Spirit for mixed chorus Spiritual / Arr. William Levi Dawson

[EN]Exquisite arranging captures the total exciting rhythm and exhilaration in this favorite spiritual. A concert classic. [DE]Das exquisite Arrangement fängt den gesamten aufregenden Rhythmus und die Beschwingtheit dieses beliebten Spirituals ein. Ein Konzertklassiker.
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Duration: 2:20 min
Difficulty: 2
Composer: Spiritual
Arranger: William Levi Dawson
Article Nr: 464279
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There is a Balm in Gilead - William Levi Dawson

There is a Balm in Gilead William Levi Dawson

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Duration: --:-- min
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Article Nr: 461173
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Dawson Spirituals Vol. 1 - William Levi Dawson

Dawson Spirituals Vol. 1 William Levi Dawson

[EN]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. [DE]Die beliebten spirituellen Bearbeitungen und Originalkompositionen von William L. Dawson werden seit ihre ...
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Composer: William Levi Dawson
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Steal Away - William Levi Dawson

Steal Away William Levi Dawson

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Behold The Star - William Levi Dawson

Behold The Star William Levi Dawson

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Hail Mary (SATB) - William Levi Dawson

Hail Mary (SATB) William Levi Dawson

Edition Number T112 Number of pages 12 UPC 8402701433 Publication Date 01/01/1946 Media Type Choral Octavos Level/Grade 3 Series Tuskegee/ Dawson Publications Choral/Vocal SATB
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Duration: 4:30 min
Difficulty: 2+
Composer: William Levi Dawson
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Mary Had A Baby - William Levi Dawson

Mary Had A Baby William Levi Dawson

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Li'l Boy-Chile - William Levi Dawson

Li'l Boy-Chile William Levi Dawson

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Dawson Spirituals vol.2 for mixed chorus - William Levi Dawson
[EN]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, Volume Two, features six favorites for Mixed Chorus (SATB) th ...
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Ain'-a that good News (SATB) - William Levi Dawson

Ain'-a that good News (SATB) William Levi Dawson

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Duration: 2:02 min
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Talk About A Child That Do Love Jesus - William Levi Dawson
Titel / Title: Talk About A Child That Do Love Jesus Herausgeber / Publisher: H.T. FitzSimons Company Instrumentation: High Voice Produkttyp / Product: Buch Serie / Series: H.T. Fitzsimons Co Produkttyp / Product: Buch UPC: 73999389173 Buch Herausgeber: H.T. FitzSimons Company Instrumentation: High Voice Serie/Series: H.T. Fitzsimons Co Erscheinungsjahr: Alternative Artike ...
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Article Nr: 827568
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King Jesus Is A-Liening - William Levi Dawson

King Jesus Is A-Liening William Levi Dawson

Titel / Title: King Jesus Is A-Liening Herausgeber / Publisher: Fred Bock Music Company Instrumentation: SAB Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur Serie / Series: H.T. Fitzsimons Co Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur UPC: 73999388879 Chorpartitur Herausgeber: Fred Bock Music Company Instrumentation: SAB Serie/Series: H.T. Fitzsimons Co Erscheinungsjahr: Alternative Artikelnum ...
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Article Nr: 827562
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King Jesus Is A-Liening - William Levi Dawson

King Jesus Is A-Liening William Levi Dawson

Titel / Title: King Jesus Is A-Liening Herausgeber / Publisher: Fred Bock Music Company Instrumentation: TTBB Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur Serie / Series: H.T. Fitzsimons Co Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur UPC: 73999388749 Chorpartitur Herausgeber: Fred Bock Music Company Instrumentation: TTBB Serie/Series: H.T. Fitzsimons Co Erscheinungsjahr: Alternative Artikeln ...
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Talk About A Child That Do Love Jesus - William Levi Dawson
Titel / Title: Talk About A Child That Do Love Jesus Herausgeber / Publisher: Fred Bock Music Company Instrumentation: SATB Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur Serie / Series: H.T. Fitzsimons Co Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur UPC: 73999388053 Chorpartitur Herausgeber: Fred Bock Music Company Instrumentation: SATB Serie/Series: H.T. Fitzsimons Co Erscheinungsjahr: Altern ...
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My Lord, What a Mourning - William Levi Dawson

My Lord, What a Mourning William Levi Dawson

Titel / Title: My Lord, What a Mourning Herausgeber / Publisher: Fred Bock Music Company Instrumentation: SATB Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur Serie / Series: H.T. Fitzsimons Co Produkttyp / Product: Chorpartitur UPC: 73999388046 Chorpartitur Herausgeber: Fred Bock Music Company Instrumentation: SATB Serie/Series: H.T. Fitzsimons Co Erscheinungsjahr: Alternative Artikel ...
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Rev. 4.118 - Time: 71 ms | SQL: -1 ms