Roger Donald Dickerson

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Roger Donald Dickerson (born August 24, 1934) is a New Orleans pianist, composer, and educator. [1]

Contents

Biography

Coming from a musical family, Dickerson began piano lessons at 8 years old. In elementary school he played the French horn, baritone and tuba. His experience playing brass instruments continued in college where he played trombone. [2] From a young age, Dickerson was interested in, and influenced by the music of the French Quarter. [2] At 15 Dickerson played in a popular music band called "Roger Dickerson and his Groovy Boys", which played high schools and community centres in his neighbourhood; showing the influence of current New Orleans musical culture. [2] Wallace Davenport, a jazz trumpeter, versed in styes ranging from traditional jazz to bebop, [1] was Dickerson's uncle. [1] From Wallace, Dickerson got his first introductions to harmony, counterpoint and orchestration. [3] [1]

Dickerson graduated from McDonough No. 35 High School. [4] After high school, Dickerson studied music at Dillard University earning his Bachelor of Music in 1955, then a Master's degree in music from Indiana University School of Music in 1957 where he studied with Bernhard Heiden. [1] [2] [3]

After finishing his Master's degree, Dickerson joined the United States Army, where he became a specialist 4th class. [4] While in the Army, he played in service bands around Europe, including the 33rd Army Band in Heidelberg, Germany. [2] [4] After two years in the Army, Dickerson was able to travel to Vienna on a Fulbright Scholarship, where he studied music with Karl Schiske and Alfred Uhl. [5] [2] [1] In 1965 he was elected to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Dickerson has received notable commissions, including a series of concert pieces commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation in 1972, [5] and his New Orleans Concerto, commissioned in 1976 by the New Orlean's Centennial Commission. [2] This concerto serves as the focal point of the 1978 PBS documentary New Orleans Concerto. [3]

Dickerson is a professor emeritus at Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO). There he was the University Choir Director and Music Coordinator. [6] Along with elements of New Orleans culture, [2] Dickerson's work shows the influence of jazz and blues. [3]

Work list

Orchestral

Vocal

Chamber and solo instrumental

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wyatt, Lucius R. (2001). Dickerson, Roger Donald. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.48279.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 James E. Hinton. (1977) "New Orleans Concerto". Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the National Endowment for the Humanities. [Video]. url: https://vimeo.com/201343362. Accessed February 12, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Roger Donald Dickerson (Composer) – Short Biography". www.bach-cantatas.com. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
  4. 1 2 3 "Orleans GI Awarded Fullbright Grant", The Louisiana Weekly , New Orleans, Louisiana, volume XXXIV, number 31, April 25, 1959, page 2. Note, article included picture of Dickerson in his army uniform. (subscription required)
  5. 1 2 "Roger Dickerson". African American Art Song Alliance. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
  6. ↑ "Roger Dickerson". Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong Jazz Camp. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
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