About the Site

The Internet exhibition commemorating the life, work, and legacy of composer and conductor William Levi Dawson has been prepared by a collaborative effort of Emory University’s Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library (MARBL) and the Digital Programs and Systems division of the Robert W. Woodruff Library. Supported through generous funding from the Ford Foundation, this exhibit was prepared in 2006-2007 and launched on June 15, 2007. The site is updated, maintained, and preserved by MARBL and the Digital Programs and Systems division.

Highlighting a rich collection of materials ranging from letters and books to film and radio broadcasts, the exhibition details Dawson’s life from early childhood to the posthumous symposium celebrating his life, work, and lasting contributions that was hosted by Emory University on March 3-5, 2005, “In Celebration of William L. Dawson: An Exploration of African American Music and Identity at the Dawn of the 21st Century.”

The exhibition consists of a presentation format designed to provide a seamless and interactive guide to digital reproductions from the Dawson collection and the 2005 symposium. This site is intended to provide scholars, researchers, students, and lifelong learners with a solid understanding of the historical significance of Dawson’s work as a major American conductor and a composer.

Many people contributed to the creation and implementation of this site. They include the following:

2005-2007 Internet Exhibit Curatorial Team:

• Randall K. Burkett, Curator, African American Collections – Principal Investigator
• Dwight D. Andrews, Assoc Professor, Music Theory – Consultant
• Katherine Skinner, Digital Projects Librarian – Project Manager and Curator
• Elizabeth Russey, Manuscripts Archivist, MARBL – Consultant and Curator
• Stephen Enniss, MARBL Director
• Micah Wedemeyer, Software Engineer, Sr. – Website Implementation
• Kathleen Turaski and Michael Baxter, Resonance – Website Design
• Kwame Phillips, Graduate Research Assistant – Video Editor
• Chris LaRosa, Graduate Research Assistant – Programmer
• Sarah Toton, Graduate Research Assistant – Consultant
• Stephen Whitaker, Graduate Research Assistant – Consultant
• Naomi Nelson, Assistant Director, MARBL – Consultant
• Susan P. McDonald, Head, Technical Services, MARBL – Consultant
• Martin Halbert, Director, Digital Programs and Systems
• Kyle Fenton, Systems Development Team Leader – Consultant
• Lars Meyer, Preservation Officer – Consultant
• Kate Murray, Audio and Visual Media Collections Conservator – Consultant
• Ginger Cain, University Archivist – Consultant
• Nancy Watkins, Assistant University Archivist – Consultant
• Laura Akerman, Metadata Librarian – Consultant
• Teresa Burk, Research Services Archivist – Consultant
• Lisa Macklin, Electronic Resources Team Leader – Consultant
• Ann Vidor, DQM Team Leader – Consultant
• Susan Pinkard, Monocat Team Leader – Consultant
• Donna Bradley, Coordinator, Friends of the Library – Consultant

2005 Schatten Gallery Exhibit Curatorial Team:

• Elizabeth Russey
• Valerie Watkins
• John Klingler
• Julie Newton
• Michelle Hite
• Randall K. Burkett
• Dwight D. Andrews

2005 Symposium Organizers:

• Dwight D. Andrews
• Randall K. Burkett
• Miriam Petty
• Michelle Hite
• Olivia Smith