{"id":943,"date":"2026-01-22T22:58:37","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T22:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/?p=943"},"modified":"2026-04-02T20:24:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T20:24:12","slug":"iowa-conductor-james-dixon-honored-in-new-main-library-gallery-exhibition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/2026\/01\/22\/iowa-conductor-james-dixon-honored-in-new-main-library-gallery-exhibition\/","title":{"rendered":"Iowa conductor James Dixon honored in new Main Library Gallery exhibition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/\">Main Library Gallery<\/a> at the University of Iowa Libraries welcomes visitors to go \u201cbehind the podium\u201d in its new exhibition about local orchestra conductor James Dixon (1928\u20132007). Free and open to the public, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/exhibit\/orchestrating-community\/\">Orchestrating Community: The Public Service of Iowa Conductor James Dixon<\/a><\/em> opened on Jan. 20 and will be on display through June 26, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;core&quot;:\n\t\t\t\t{ &quot;image&quot;:\n\t\t\t\t\t{   &quot;imageLoaded&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;initialized&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;lightboxEnabled&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;hideAnimationEnabled&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;preloadInitialized&quot;: false,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;lightboxAnimation&quot;: &quot;zoom&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;imageUploadedSrc&quot;: &quot;https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/01\/Conducting-7th-army-symphony-rehearsal-germany-1953.png&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;imageCurrentSrc&quot;: &quot;&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetWidth&quot;: &quot;1304&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetHeight&quot;: &quot;890&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;scaleAttr&quot;: &quot;&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;dialogLabel&quot;: &quot;Enlarged image&quot;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}\" data-wp-interactive class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"699\" data-wp-effect--setStylesOnResize=\"effects.core.image.setStylesOnResize\" data-wp-effect=\"effects.core.image.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-init=\"effects.core.image.initOriginImage\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"actions.core.image.handleLoad\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/01\/Conducting-7th-army-symphony-rehearsal-germany-1953-1024x699.png\" alt=\"Black and white photo of a young James Dixon in the 1950s. He is wearing his army uniform and conducting an orchestra.\" class=\"wp-image-944\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/01\/Conducting-7th-army-symphony-rehearsal-germany-1953-1024x699.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/01\/Conducting-7th-army-symphony-rehearsal-germany-1953-300x205.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/01\/Conducting-7th-army-symphony-rehearsal-germany-1953-768x524.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/01\/Conducting-7th-army-symphony-rehearsal-germany-1953.png 1304w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge image: Black and white photo of a young James Dixon in the 1950s. He is wearing his army uniform and conducting an orchestra.\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"context.core.image.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"context.core.image.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">James Dixon conducting a Seventh Army Symphony rehearsal in Germany, 1953. James Dixon Papers, University Archives, University of Iowa Libraries.<\/figcaption>        <div data-wp-body=\"\" class=\"wp-lightbox-overlay zoom\"\n            data-wp-bind--role=\"selectors.core.image.roleAttribute\"\n            data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"selectors.core.image.dialogLabel\"\n            data-wp-class--initialized=\"context.core.image.initialized\"\n            data-wp-class--active=\"context.core.image.lightboxEnabled\"\n            data-wp-class--hideAnimationEnabled=\"context.core.image.hideAnimationEnabled\"\n            data-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"selectors.core.image.ariaModal\"\n            data-wp-effect=\"effects.core.image.initLightbox\"\n            data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.core.image.handleKeydown\"\n            data-wp-on--touchstart=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchStart\"\n            data-wp-on--touchmove=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchMove\"\n            data-wp-on--touchend=\"actions.core.image.handleTouchEnd\"\n            data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.hideLightbox\"\n            tabindex=\"-1\"\n            >\n                <button type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Close\" style=\"fill: #000\" class=\"close-button\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.core.image.hideLightbox\">\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M13 11.8l6.1-6.3-1-1-6.1 6.2-6.1-6.2-1 1 6.1 6.3-6.5 6.7 1 1 6.5-6.6 6.5 6.6 1-1z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                <\/button>\n                <div class=\"lightbox-image-container\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large responsive-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"context.core.image.imageCurrentSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"Black and white photo of a young James Dixon in the 1950s. He is wearing his army uniform and conducting an orchestra.\" class=\"wp-image-944\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">James Dixon conducting a Seventh Army Symphony rehearsal in Germany, 1953. James Dixon Papers, University Archives, University of Iowa Libraries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n                <div class=\"lightbox-image-container\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large enlarged-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"selectors.core.image.enlargedImgSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"Black and white photo of a young James Dixon in the 1950s. He is wearing his army uniform and conducting an orchestra.\" class=\"wp-image-944\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">James Dixon conducting a Seventh Army Symphony rehearsal in Germany, 1953. James Dixon Papers, University Archives, University of Iowa Libraries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n                <div class=\"scrim\" style=\"background-color: #fff\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n        <\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Dixon was an Iowa native, and a longtime director of the University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Curated by Assistant Professor of Instruction Sarah Suhadolnik from the <a href=\"https:\/\/music.uiowa.edu\/\">UI School of Music<\/a> and Rita Benton Music Library Director Katie Buehner, this exhibition explores Dixon\u2019s adventurous international conducting career as well as his important impact on orchestras and musicians at home in Iowa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The exhibition includes personal correspondences, photographs, artifacts, music scores, audio clips, and much more from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/sc\/\">UI Libraries Special Collections and Archives<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/music\/\">Rita Benton Music Library<\/a> that help tell the story of Dixon\u2019s life and work. These materials and the stories shared by the curators also celebrate the ways in which orchestras of all sizes connect with their local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is a story about Iowa and Iowans,\u201d says co-curator Katie Buehner. \u201cWhile many of the characters in the exhibit travel a great deal to other locations, their roots stay firmly in this community. This is also a story about music and how it brings people together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Dixon operated at all times with a tangible vision of what his ensembles contributed to their respective communities,\u201d says co-curator Sarah Suhadolnik. \u201cI hope visitors will leave the exhibit with a better appreciation for the arts of all sorts as fundamentally collaborative undertakings.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/01\/KH-exhibit-photo-1024x686.png\" alt=\"Photo of a long exhibit case filled with paper ephemera like letters, photos, newspaper clippings, and concert programs.\" class=\"wp-image-945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/01\/KH-exhibit-photo-1024x686.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/01\/KH-exhibit-photo-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/01\/KH-exhibit-photo-768x514.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/01\/KH-exhibit-photo.png 1166w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From the Orchestrating Community: The Public Service of Iowa Conductor James Dixon exhibition in the Main Library Gallery. Photo: Krista Hershberger.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The James Dixon Papers were recently donated to the UI Libraries by Carey Bostian and Miera Kim, close friends of Dixon. They are also leaders of and core musicians in local nonprofit organization <a href=\"https:\/\/redcedar.org\/\">Red Cedar Chamber Music<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about the exhibition, related events, and visiting hours at &nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/\">lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Main Library Gallery at the University of Iowa Libraries welcomes visitors to go \u201cbehind the podium\u201d in its new exhibition about local orchestra conductor James Dixon (1928\u20132007). Free and open to the public, Orchestrating Community: The Public Service of Iowa Conductor James Dixon opened on Jan. 20 and will be on display through June<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/2026\/01\/22\/iowa-conductor-james-dixon-honored-in-new-main-library-gallery-exhibition\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">&#8220;Iowa conductor James Dixon honored in new Main Library Gallery exhibition&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":272,"featured_media":946,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[22,3,2],"syndication":[4,33,5],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/943"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/272"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=943"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/943\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":947,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/943\/revisions\/947"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/946"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=943"},{"taxonomy":"syndication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/syndication?post=943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}