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A person stands in a gallery, which contains many display cases and a specially-created conductor's study with a record player and ornate wallpaper.

An Iowa native and a Hawkeye, conductor James Dixon (1928–2007) was instrumental in building orchestras at the University of Iowa, in the Midwest, and abroad. Through a look at Dixon’s adventurous international career, this exhibition provides a “behind the podium” look at how orchestras of all sizes connect with their communities and become crucial to sustaining them.

Co-curated by Sarah Suhadolnik and Katie Buehner, Orchestrating Community: The Public Service of Iowa Conductor James Dixon uses materials from Special Collections and Archives and the Rita Benton Music Library at the University of Iowa Libraries to share the important work of orchestras through the lens of Dixon’s life.

 

Curator Highlights

Black and white photo of four young children relaxing on the front lawn of a modest white home in Guthrie Center, Iowa.

Growing up in Guthrie Center

Dixon came of age during the Great Depression. He worked several jobs in his youth, including at a barbershop and bakery, but still found time to pursue his interest in music.
Conductor Dimitri Mitropoulos, UI School of Music Director PG Clapp, and student James Dixon look at a music score together.

Dixon at the School of Music

James Dixon first enrolled as a music student at the University of Iowa in 1948. UI School of Music Director P.G. Clapp and conductor Dimitri Mitropoulos were mentors and friends.
Dixon conducting a very large symphony orchestra in a practice hall. His back is to the camera and he faces the orchestra.

An Iowa Teaching Career

Students in James Dixon’s university orchestras played everything from oft-repeated marches for campus ceremonies to premiering entirely new musical works.
Jamex Dixon conducts a small orchestra pit in rehearsal for a theatre show.

Seventh Army Symphony

After graduating from the University of Iowa in 1952, Dixon joined the U.S. Army as a musician and later conducted the Seventh Army Symphony for performances in Germany.
Dixon with friends Hibbard and Wuorinen. In this color photograph, the three men stand near the steps of a home in 1973.

Composers Hibbard and Wuorinen

Dixon treasured friendships with fellow composers and musicians he met over the course of his career.
Conductor James Dixon stands in front of the Quad City Sympony orchestra as they pose for a photograph in 1968.

Conducting the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (1965–1994)

An appointment with the Tri-City (now Quad City) Symphony Orchestra made Iowa James Dixon’s home base for the bulk of his professional life. 475 performances over 700 musical works make the conductor the longest-serving music director of the orchestra to date.
Dixon helping a young child learn about conducting at the podium.

Music for Young People

Over the course of his career, James Dixon appeared in concert with Bob Keeshan (a.k.a. Captain Kangaroo), Bob McGrath (of Sesame Street), Shari Lewis (and Lamb Chop), and other children’s performers.
Cover of a workbook featuring an illustration of a nutcracker. A Guide for Young listeners. Des Moines Ballet, Stephen Laurent, Artistic Director. The Nutcracker. Quad City Symphony Orchestra, James Dixon, Conductor.

A New Tradition in the Quad Cities, and the Role of Conductor

Dixon and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra established The Nutcracker as an annual family favorite production.
Black and white photo of older Dixon in the 1990s seated in the first violins section of the orchestra. Chairs are empty except for him.

A Distinguished Career

The beloved conductor was honored by friends, supporters, and colleagues as he prepared for retirement.

Credits

Exhibition Curation

Sarah Suhadolnik
Assistant Professor of Instruction
University of Iowa School of Music

Katie Buehner
Director, Rita Benton Music Library
University of Iowa Libraries

Preparation and Conservation
Bill Voss, Conservator Technician and Exhibit Preparator
Giselle Simón, University Conservator 

Design
Lauren Coghlan, Creative Coordinator 

Exhibition Project Coordination
Sara J. Pinkham, Exhibition and Engagement Coordinator, Main Library Gallery  

Exhibition and Program Support
Cecil Campbell, Exhibition and Engagement Student Lead, Main Library Gallery   

Installation
Bill Voss, Lauren Coghlan, Sara J. Pinkham, Giselle Simón, Kaleb Turnbough, Carolina Kaufman, Zoë Webb

Materials Access Support
Lindsay Moen, Lead Public Services Librarian, Special Collections and Archives 

Interactive Audio Station
José Jiménez, Director of Libraries Information Technology 
Will Brown, IT Support Consultant 
Bill Voss

Audio Editing and Recording
Katie Buehner

Website
Ken Clinkenbeard, Web Services Specialist
Sara J. Pinkham

Communications
Anne Bassett, Senior Director, Strategic Communications and External Relations
Krista Hershberger, Communications Specialist
Kaleb Turnbough, Graphic Design Student Lead

Interactive Touchscreen, Digital Scholarship and Publishing Studio
Matthew Butler, Senior Developer
Alyssa Varner, Creative Coordinator

Financial Support
University of Iowa Libraries Exhibits and Galleries Fund 

Special Thanks and Additional Assistance
Carey Bostian, Miera Kim, Christine Bellomy, Sarah Keen, Anastasia Scholze-Wang, Amy McBeth, Christine Burke, Melissa Moll, Bethany Davis, Haziel Candido da Silva Santos, Peyton Flynn, Susan Bawden, Jim Bawden, Suzanne Benson, Gary “Gino” Ciccotelli, Helen Gager, David Greenhoe, Ron Morton, Mary Neil, Carol Phoenix, Julie Scott, Gabryel Smith at the New York Philharmonic Archives, Allison Johnson at the State Historical Society of Iowa – Iowa City Research Center, University of Iowa School of Music and Director Tammie Walker, Pentacrest Museums and Director Liz Crooks, Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Executive Director Brian Baxter