Dvorak, Raymond F. (Raymond Francis), 1900-1982

Raymond F. Dvorak was born in Algonquin, Illinois on March 31, 1900.�?  He attended the University of Illinois between 1918 and 1934, earning a B.S. in Commerce in 1922 and a B.M. in Piano 1926. From 1922 to 1926, Dvorak served as director of music at the Urbana High School, and from 1926 to 1934 he was assistant director of the University of Illinois bands and director of Glee Clubs. In 1934 he was named director of the University of Wisconsin bands, a position that he held for over 30 years until 1968. In addition to his numerous articles, Dvorak wrote two books, The Band on Parade (1937) and The Art of Flag Swinging (1939). Dvorak was elected to the ABA in 1933 and served as President in 1959. He was made an honorary Life Member in 1980. Dvorak continued to appear frequently as a guest conductor until his death in 1982.

From the guide to the Raymond F. Dvorak Papers, 1922-34, 1957-58, (The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music)

Raymond Francis Dvorak was born in Algonquin, Illinois on March 31, 1900. He received a B.S. (1922) and a B.M. (1926) from the University of Illinois, where he also served as assistant director of the bands and director of the Glee Club from 1926 to 1934. From 1934-1968 he served as director of the University of Wisconsin bands. Dvorak was elected to the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) in 1933 and served as President in 1959. Though he retired in 1968, he remained active as a guest conductor and worked on efforts to memorialize John Philip Sousa, helping to establish Stars and Stripes Forever as the official march of the United States and to have Sousa enshrined in the Hall of Fame for Great Americans. In 1980, Dvorak was made an Honorary Life Member of the ABA. Dvorak died November 15, 1982 in Madison, Wisconsin.

From the guide to the Raymond F. Dvorak Papers, 1876-1987, 1960-1980, (Special Collections in Performing Arts)

Raymond Dvorak (1900-1982) was a conductor and Director of Bands for the University of Illinois and the University of Wisconsin. Elected to the ABA in 1933, he served as President in 1959 and was made an honorary member in 1980. In addition to his work as a director, Dvorak wrote numerous articles and two books, and led the campaign to elect John Philip Sousa to the Hall of Fame for Great Americans.

From the description of Raymond Dvorak papers, 1919-1985 (1960-1980). (University of Maryland Libraries). WorldCat record id: 55081498