November 3rd in African American History – Charles Dean Dixon

November 3, 1976 Charles Dean Dixon, orchestra conductor, died.

Dixon was born January 10, 1915 in New York City. He studied conducting at the Juilliard School and Columbia University. In 1931, when early pursuits of conducting engagements were stifled by racial bias, Dixon formed his own orchestra and choral society.

In 1948, Dixon won the Ditson Conductor’s Award and the next year he left the United States to conduct orchestras in Israel, Sweden, Australia, and Germany. In 1974, he returned to the U. S. to guest conduct the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and the San Francisco Symphony.

Dixon was honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers with the Award of Merit for encouraging the participation of American youth in music.