Dorsey Whittington

Dorsey Whittington was a pianist and music teacher, and was the first conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

Wittington held degrees from the Institute of Musical Art (1922) and a Musical Doctorate from Boguslarvski College of Music (1934). In 1933, Whittington conducted the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at its first formal concert at Phillips High School. He and his wife Frances were instructors at the Birmingham Music Conservatory. In 1939, the conservancy 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.

BSC holds the annual Whittington Music Competition for its music majors, and allows the winners a chance to perform with a symphony.

References

• Hamilton, Virginia (April 2, 1989) "Recollections of Roebuck Springs." Accessed June 24, 2008.