![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2023\/03\/Exhibit-Cover-Website-1024x366.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
An Iowa native and a Hawkeye, conductor James Dixon (1928\u20132007) was instrumental in building orchestras at the University of Iowa, in the Midwest, and abroad. Through a look at Dixon\u2019s adventurous international career, this exhibition provides a \u201cbehind the podium\u201d look at how orchestras of all sizes connect with their communities and become crucial to sustaining them.<\/p>\n
Co-curated by Sarah Suhadolnik and Katie Buehner, Orchestrating Community: The Public Service of Iowa Conductor James Dixon<\/i> 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\u2019s life.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/a>\r\n<\/div> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/a>\r\n<\/div> Students in James Dixon\u2019s university orchestras played everything from oft-repeated marches for campus ceremonies to premiering entirely new musical works.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/a>\r\n<\/div> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/a>\r\n<\/div> Dixon treasured friendships with fellow composers and musicians he met over the course of his career.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/a>\r\n<\/div> An appointment with the Tri-City (now\u00a0Quad\u00a0City) Symphony Orchestra made Iowa James Dixon\u2019s home base for the bulk of his professional life. 475 performances over\u00a0700 musical works make the conductor the longest-serving\u00a0music\u00a0director of the\u00a0orchestra\u00a0to date.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/a>\r\n<\/div> Over the course of his career, James Dixon appeared in concert with Bob Keeshan (a.k.a. Captain Kangaroo), Bob McGrath (of\u00a0Sesame Street), Shari Lewis (and Lamb Chop), and other children\u2019s performers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\n
\nCurator Highlights<\/h3>\n
\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t![\"Black](\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/02\/Dixon-on-the-lawn-in-Guthrie-Center.png\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tGrowing up in Guthrie Center<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t![\"Conductor](\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/02\/Mitropoulos-Clapp-Dixon-1951.png\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tDixon at the School of Music<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t![\"Dixon](\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/02\/Dixon-conducting-UISO-1950s.png\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tAn Iowa Teaching Career<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t![\"Jamex](\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2025\/10\/Dixon-conducting-Menotti-rehearsal.png\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tSeventh Army Symphony<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t![\"Dixon](\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/02\/Dixon-with-Hibbard-and-Wuorinen-1973.png\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tComposers Hibbard and Wuorinen<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t![\"Conductor](\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/01\/Dixon-with-QCSO-1968.png\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tConducting the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (1965\u20131994)<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t![\"Dixon](\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/02\/Dixon-Teaching-Young-Child-at-the-Podium.png\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tMusic for Young People<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t
![\"Cover](\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/02\/Nutcracker-QCSO-Guide-for-Young-Listeners-cover.png\")
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t![\"Black](\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/02\/Dixon-with-conducting-baton-1990s.png\")
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