John H. Davison (31 May 1930 – 5 March 1999) was anAmerican composer and pianist.
Born inIstanbul,Turkey, he grew up inUpstate New York and inNew York City, and studied music at theJuilliard School's lower school,Haverford College, then received his master's degree fromHarvard University, where he focused onRenaissance music, particularly the works ofOrlando Gibbons. He earned his doctorate in creative composition from theEastman School of Music. His teachers includedAlfred Swan,Randall Thompson,Walter Piston,Bernard Rogers,Howard Hanson,Alan Hovhaness, andRobert Palmer. During 1964-1965, Davison was placed in the Kansas City (Missouri) Schools as part of the Music Educators National Conference'sContemporary Music Project, where he composed numerous works for band, chorus, and orchestra.[1] He was a friend ofAaron Copland and maintained a correspondence with him. He was also aconscientious objector.
Davison's music is generally tonal, strongly melodic, and influenced by such diverse musics as Western classical and Romantic music (particularly the music ofJohannes Brahms, Renaissance and Baroque music,Irish music,English country dancing,Anglican church music, andjazz.
His music is published by Southern Music Publishing Co., Shawnee Press, and TAP Music Publishing, and his music has been recorded by theCRI,Crystal, Coronet, Encore, andAlbany labels. He coauthored, withJohn Ashmead, a book about the songs ofRobert Burns.
Davison taught atHaverford College from 1959 until his death. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Davison.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
 | This article about an American composer born in the 20th century is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
