Dwight Gustafson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dwight Gustafson
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Dwight Gustafson, October 1993
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Dwight Leonard Gustafson
April 20, 1930 |
| Died | January 28, 2014 (aged 83) |
| Resting place | Graceland Cemetery, Greenville, South Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Bob Jones University, Florida State University |
| Occupation | musician |
| Employer | Bob Jones University |
| Title | Dean of the School of Fine Arts |
| Term | 1954–94 |
| Predecessor | Karl Keefer |
| Successor | Darren Lawson |
| Spouse(s) | Gwendolyn Adams Gustafson |
| Children | four, including David Gustafson |
Dwight Leonard Gustafson (born April 20, 1930 – died January 28, 2014) was an American musician. He was a talented composer and conductor. He also served as the dean of the School of Fine Arts at Bob Jones University.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Dwight Gustafson was born in Seattle, Washington. His father, Leonard, sold meat and was a lay preacher. His mother, Rachel, was a pianist, harpist, and artist. Dwight grew up near Lake Sammamish and finished high school in 1948.
Even though he learned to play the violin early on, Dwight was very interested in art and design. When he was a sophomore at Bob Jones University, he was asked to draw sketches for a play called Cyrano de Bergerac. He ended up designing all the sets for the play.
In 1954, Dwight was about to graduate from Bob Jones University with a master's degree in music. The university president, Bob Jones Jr., surprised him by asking him to become the dean of the School of Fine Arts. Dwight was only 24 years old at the time.
Later, he earned another degree, a Doctor of Music in composition, from Florida State University. In 1960, he was chosen as one of ten young conductors to study at the Aspen School of Music.
A Talented Leader and Musician
Dwight Gustafson quickly showed he was a great leader. He understood art, music, and drama very well. He regularly led choirs and the Bob Jones Symphony Orchestra. He was especially known for conducting the orchestra's yearly opera shows.
As a composer, Gustafson was famous for his sacred choral music. He wrote and arranged many pieces for choirs. He created over 160 works in total. These included music for five films and a string quartet. He also wrote a violin concerto called Encounters.
He composed many large pieces for chorus and orchestra. Some of these include Three Psalms for Chorus and Orchestra (1989) and Words of Passion and Resurrection (2002). In 1999, he wrote "Fantasia for a Celebration" for the Williamsburg Symphonia. This piece was part of the city's 300-year celebration.
In December 2006, Gustafson premiered a short opera called Simeon. This opera was about the blessing given by Simeon the Righteous to the baby Jesus, as told in the Bible (Luke 2: 25-35).
Later Years and Legacy
Dwight Gustafson served as dean for forty years before he retired. To honor him, Bob Jones University named the Gustafson Fine Arts Center after him.
In 1999, he received the Order of the Palmetto. This is a high award given by the Governor of South Carolina, Jim Hodges. Gustafson continued to conduct programs at Bob Jones University until 2010. He also stayed active by leading high school choirs and orchestras. He even conducted clinics for church choirs.
In 2012, he published a book of short thoughts called A Brighter Witness: Conversations on the Christian and the Arts. Dwight Gustafson passed away on January 28, 2014, due to liver disease.
Darren Lawson, who took over as dean after Gustafson, said that because Gustafson was very tall (6 feet 5 inches), people looked up to him "literally and figuratively." Lawson also noted that Gustafson could do many things. He acted, designed sets, sang, composed, and conducted. He truly was a "Renaissance man," meaning he had many talents. Lawson added that while Gustafson pushed for high standards in music, he also had a great sense of humor.
Images for kids
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Dwight Gustafson, October 1993
See also
In Spanish: Dwight Gustafson para niños
