Background
Dawson, William Levi was born on September 26, 1899 in Anniston, Alabama, United States. Son of George W. and Eliza M. (Starkey) Dawson.
Dawson, William Levi was born on September 26, 1899 in Anniston, Alabama, United States. Son of George W. and Eliza M. (Starkey) Dawson.
Student composition, orchestration, Washburn College. Museum B., Horner Institute Fine Arts, Kansas City, Missouri, 1925. M. Composition, American Conservatory Music, Chicago, 1927.
Museum D., Tuskegee Institute, 1955. Museum D., Ithaca College, 1982. Postgraduate, Eastman School Music.
Doctor of Laws, Lincoln University, 1978.
Director music, Topeka, Kansas City, 1921-1925, then 1st trombonist, Chicago Civic Symphony Orchestra, director, Tuskegee Institute School Music, Tuskegee Choir. Led: opening Tuskegee Choir at, Radio City Music Hall, 1932-1933, on many tours, in concert series, NBC, Columbia Broadcasting System, ABC. Guest conductor numerous state choral festivals, choral groups in, Spain, under auspices, Department State, 1956, Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra, 1966, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, 1966, Talladega Choir and Mobile Symphony Orchestra, 1968, Wayne State University Glee Club, 1970, 74, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, 1975.
Conductor symposium choral music, Huntingdon College, Montgomery, Alabama, 1976 (Winner Rodman Wanamaker contest for composition 1930, 31, Chicago Daily News contest for band conductors 1929). Composer: numerous arrangements Negro folk songs for voices Break, Break. With orchestra Trio in A.
Violin, cello, piano Sonata in A. Violin and piano Negro Folk Symphony.
Member Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (honorary).
Married Cornella D. Lampton, May 25, 1927 (deceased August 1928). Married Cecile D. Nicholson, September 21, 1935.