William Levi Dawson (September 26, 1899 - May 2, 1990) was an American composer, choir
director, and professor specializing in black religious folk music. In 1912, Dawson ran away from home to study music full-time as a pre-college student at Tuskegee Institute (now University) under the tutelage of school president Booker T. Washington. There he participated as a member of Tuskegee's choir, band and orchestra, composing and traveling extensively with the Tuskegee Singers for five years. His teaching career began in the Kansas City public school system, followed by a tenure with the Tuskegee Institute from 1931-1956. Dawson also developed the Tuskegee Institute Choir into an internationally renowned ensemble. Dawson began composing at a young age and is known for his contributions to both orchestral and choral literature. His best-known works are arrangements of and variations on spirituals. We will be performing Ain'a that Good News and There is a Balm in Gilead at our upcoming concert.