Dixon, Dean, 1915-1976

Dean Dixon was a distinguished conductor of symphonic orchestras in the United States, Europe, Australia and Asia, and guest conducted virtually all of the leading orchestras on four continents.

Born in Harlem, Dixon was graduated from the Juilliard Institute of Musical Art, Julliard Graduate School and Columbia University Teachers College (1936-1939). In 1942 he made his debut as guest conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, thereby becoming the first black person to conduct this major orchestra. Unable to secure a permanent position in the United States due to racial discrimination, Dixon went to Paris in 1949, at the invitation of the National Orchestra of Radio France. In 1953 he was appointed chief conductor of the Göteborg Symphony Orchestra in Sweden, a position he held until 1960.

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