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'''Dorsey Whittington''' was a pianist and music teacher, and was organizer and director of the [[Birmingham Civic Symphonic Orchestra]].
'''Dorsey Whittington''' was a pianist and music teacher, and was organizer and director of the [[Birmingham Civic Symphonic Orchestra]].


Wittington held degrees from the Institute of Musical Art (1922) and a Musical Doctorate from Boguslarvski College of Music (1934). In [[1932]], Whittington conducted the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at its first informal concert at [[Phillips High School]], and continued to helm the orchestra as it gained the backing of the [[Birmingham Music Club]] and established itself as the city's preeminent symphonic ensemble.
Wittington moved to New York from California to pursue his musical education in [[1917]]. He held degrees from the Institute of Musical Art ([[1922]]) and a Musical Doctorate from Boguslarvski College of Music ([[1934]]). He was a popular performer at the Aeolian Hall in New York City in the 1920s, and toured Europe in [[1926]].
 
In [[1932]], Whittington conducted the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at its first informal concert at [[Phillips High School]], and continued to helm the orchestra as it gained the backing of the [[Birmingham Music Club]] and established itself as the city's preeminent symphonic ensemble.


He and his wife [[Frances Whittington|Frances]] were instructors at the [[Birmingham Conservatory of Music]], and he took over for [[Edna Gockel Gussen]] as director in [[1930]]. In [[1939]], the conservatory was folded into [[Birmingham-Southern College]] as their music department.  Whittington continued to instruct students there until [[1944]].
He and his wife [[Frances Whittington|Frances]] were instructors at the [[Birmingham Conservatory of Music]], and he took over for [[Edna Gockel Gussen]] as director in [[1930]]. In [[1939]], the conservatory was folded into [[Birmingham-Southern College]] as their music department.  Whittington continued to instruct students there until [[1944]].


The Whittingtons lived in [[Roebuck Springs]] in the 1930s and 1940s. Their living room was large enough to hold two grand pianos so they could practice at home for their duo-piano concerts.
The Whittingtons lived in [[Roebuck Springs]] in the 1930s and 1940s. Their living room was large enough to hold two grand pianos so they could practice at home for their duo-piano concerts. In the summers, he directed the piano program at the National Music Festival in Interlochen, Michigan.
 
In [[1955]], the Whittingtons moved to the Roberts Bay side of Siesta Key in Sarasota, Florida.


BSC holds the annual Whittington Music Competition for its music majors, and allows the winners a chance to perform with a symphony. Whittington's daughter, Naru, became an accomplished pianist herself and married composer Alan Hovhaness.
BSC holds the annual Whittington Music Competition for its music majors, and allows the winners a chance to perform with a symphony. Whittington's daughters, [[Barbara Whittington|Barbara]] and [[Naru Hovhaness|Naru]]. Naru married composer Alan Hovhaness. The Whittington's scrapbooks and other papers are housed at the [[Birmingham Public Library Archives]].


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==References==
==References==
* ''Musical Alabama'' Volume 2 (1936) Federated Music Clubs of Alabama. Tuscaloosa: Weatherford Printing Company
* ''Musical Alabama'' Volume 2 (1936) Federated Music Clubs of Alabama. Tuscaloosa: Weatherford Printing Company
* "[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Yd8bAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2GQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1675%2C357722 Pianist Guest Soloist at Concert Tonight]" (February 3, 1955) "'Sarasota Herald-Tribune''
* Hamilton, Virginia (April 2, 1989) "[http://www.roebucksprings.org/recollections_hamilton.cfm Recollections of Roebuck Springs]."  Accessed June 24, 2008
* Hamilton, Virginia (April 2, 1989) "[http://www.roebucksprings.org/recollections_hamilton.cfm Recollections of Roebuck Springs]."  Accessed June 24, 2008


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[[Category:Pianists]]
[[Category:Pianists]]
[[Category:Conductors]]
[[Category:Conductors]]
[[Category:Music teachers]]
[[Category:Birmingham-Southern faculty]]
[[Category:Birmingham-Southern faculty]]

Revision as of 11:47, 27 February 2011

Dorsey Whittington, c. 1936

Dorsey Whittington was a pianist and music teacher, and was organizer and director of the Birmingham Civic Symphonic Orchestra.

Wittington moved to New York from California to pursue his musical education in 1917. He held degrees from the Institute of Musical Art (1922) and a Musical Doctorate from Boguslarvski College of Music (1934). He was a popular performer at the Aeolian Hall in New York City in the 1920s, and toured Europe in 1926.

In 1932, Whittington conducted the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at its first informal concert at Phillips High School, and continued to helm the orchestra as it gained the backing of the Birmingham Music Club and established itself as the city's preeminent symphonic ensemble.

He and his wife Frances were instructors at the Birmingham Conservatory of Music, and he took over for Edna Gockel Gussen as director in 1930. In 1939, the conservatory was folded into Birmingham-Southern College as their music department. Whittington continued to instruct students there until 1944.

The Whittingtons lived in Roebuck Springs in the 1930s and 1940s. Their living room was large enough to hold two grand pianos so they could practice at home for their duo-piano concerts. In the summers, he directed the piano program at the National Music Festival in Interlochen, Michigan.

In 1955, the Whittingtons moved to the Roberts Bay side of Siesta Key in Sarasota, Florida.

BSC holds the annual Whittington Music Competition for its music majors, and allows the winners a chance to perform with a symphony. Whittington's daughters, Barbara and Naru. Naru married composer Alan Hovhaness. The Whittington's scrapbooks and other papers are housed at the Birmingham Public Library Archives.

References