{"id":976,"date":"2026-04-15T14:33:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T14:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/?p=976"},"modified":"2026-05-06T14:57:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T14:57:26","slug":"students-investigate-james-dixons-lasting-impact-on-the-quad-city-symphony-orchestra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/2026\/04\/15\/students-investigate-james-dixons-lasting-impact-on-the-quad-city-symphony-orchestra\/","title":{"rendered":"James Dixon\u2019s lasting impact on the Quad City Symphony Orchestra\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><strong><em>The following was compiled by Cecil Campbell,\u00a0exhibition\u00a0and engagement student lead for the\u202f<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Main Library Gallery<\/em><\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0<em>and features select exhibition text by Sarah Suhadolnik and Katie Buehner.<\/em><\/strong><\/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\/04\/QCSO-1968.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;1298&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetHeight&quot;: &quot;570&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=\"450\" 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=\"http:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/04\/QCSO-1968-1024x450.png\" alt=\"A symphony orchestra is seated together on stage. All are wearing formal attire. The conductor stands on his podium and is turned toward the audience.\" class=\"wp-image-977\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/04\/QCSO-1968-1024x450.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/04\/QCSO-1968-300x132.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/04\/QCSO-1968-768x337.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/04\/QCSO-1968.png 1298w\" 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: A symphony orchestra is seated together on stage. All are wearing formal attire. The conductor stands on his podium and is turned toward the audience.\"\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\">Dixon with the Tri-City (now Quad City) Symphony Orchestra, 1968. James Dixon Papers [UA10028], 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=\"A symphony orchestra is seated together on stage. All are wearing formal attire. The conductor stands on his podium and is turned toward the audience.\" class=\"wp-image-977\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dixon with the Tri-City (now Quad City) Symphony Orchestra, 1968. James Dixon Papers [UA10028], 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=\"A symphony orchestra is seated together on stage. All are wearing formal attire. The conductor stands on his podium and is turned toward the audience.\" class=\"wp-image-977\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dixon with the Tri-City (now Quad City) Symphony Orchestra, 1968. James Dixon Papers [UA10028], 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>In 1916, the Tri-Cities area\u2014Rock Island, Illinois; Moline, Illinois; and Davenport, Iowa\u2014was the smallest community in the country to support a full symphony orchestra.&nbsp;Now the <a href=\"https:\/\/qcso.org\/\">Quad City Symphony Orchestra<\/a> (QCSO), it is one of the oldest continuously operating orchestras in the United States. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\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\/04\/Dixon-with-Margherita-Roberti.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;700&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetHeight&quot;: &quot;859&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=\"alignright size-full is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"859\" 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\/04\/Dixon-with-Margherita-Roberti.png\" alt=\"Three women in costume for an opera stand outside with conductor James Dixon.\" class=\"wp-image-980\" style=\"width:239px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/04\/Dixon-with-Margherita-Roberti.png 700w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/04\/Dixon-with-Margherita-Roberti-244x300.png 244w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><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: Three women in costume for an opera stand outside with conductor James Dixon.\"\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\">Dixon with American soprano Margherita Roberti and two other soloists. Roberti lived in Iowa as a child, was an international opera star, and held her farewell concert in 1988 with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Courtesy of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.<\/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\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized responsive-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"context.core.image.imageCurrentSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"Three women in costume for an opera stand outside with conductor James Dixon.\" class=\"wp-image-980\" style=\"width:239px;height:auto\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dixon with American soprano Margherita Roberti and two other soloists. Roberti lived in Iowa as a child, was an international opera star, and held her farewell concert in 1988 with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Courtesy of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"lightbox-image-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized enlarged-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"selectors.core.image.enlargedImgSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"Three women in costume for an opera stand outside with conductor James Dixon.\" class=\"wp-image-980\" style=\"width:239px;height:auto\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dixon with American soprano Margherita Roberti and two other soloists. Roberti lived in Iowa as a child, was an international opera star, and held her farewell concert in 1988 with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Courtesy of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"scrim\" style=\"background-color: #fff\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n        <\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In 1965, 37-year-old James Dixon was hired as the music director, appointing him steward of this legacy and the most recent director in a line of (at the time) seven before him. Although Dixon\u2019s programming choices initially tested the tastes of audiences and administrators alike, he quickly garnered a reputation for steady leadership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While learning to work with professional musicians, Dixon also grew into his role in the organization\u2019s ongoing efforts to secure subscribers\u2014members of the community who provide essential annual support. The care and discipline Dixon brought to his work transformed him into a local celebrity. While that may seem like high praise, Dixon\u2019s celebrity status could be seen in more than just reputation. For example, at the time Dixon joined the QCSO as conductor, the organization had a modest budget. By the time he retired in 1994, budgets were significantly larger owing to his fundraising efforts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dixon\u2019s\u2014and the QCSO\u2019s\u2014long-term investment in local community has paid large dividends.&nbsp;When one considers not only how important the orchestra is\u2014and was\u2014to its audiences, but to the musicians themselves, it makes his level of commitment stand out all the more.&nbsp;As one of the Quad Cities\u2019 oldest community groups, it makes sense that the QCSO has played a significant role not just in the lives of area residents, but in many of its members\u2019 lives as well. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\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\/04\/Riverfront-Pops-1994.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;530&quot;,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&quot;targetHeight&quot;: &quot;766&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=\"alignright size-full is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"530\" height=\"766\" 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=\"http:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/04\/Riverfront-Pops-1994.png\" alt=\"Illustrated postcard featuring a large crowd sitting on a riverbank with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra performing in front of them.\" class=\"wp-image-981\" style=\"width:232px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/04\/Riverfront-Pops-1994.png 530w, https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/files\/2026\/04\/Riverfront-Pops-1994-208x300.png 208w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px\" \/><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: Illustrated postcard featuring a large crowd sitting on a riverbank with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra performing in front of them.\"\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\">Riverfront Pops postcard featuring Dixon conducting, 1994. Courtesy of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.<\/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\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized responsive-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"context.core.image.imageCurrentSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"Illustrated postcard featuring a large crowd sitting on a riverbank with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra performing in front of them.\" class=\"wp-image-981\" style=\"width:232px;height:auto\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Riverfront Pops postcard featuring Dixon conducting, 1994. Courtesy of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"lightbox-image-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized enlarged-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-bind--src=\"selectors.core.image.enlargedImgSrc\" data-wp-style--object-fit=\"selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit\" src=\"\" alt=\"Illustrated postcard featuring a large crowd sitting on a riverbank with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra performing in front of them.\" class=\"wp-image-981\" style=\"width:232px;height:auto\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Riverfront Pops postcard featuring Dixon conducting, 1994. Courtesy of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"scrim\" style=\"background-color: #fff\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n        <\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In a now-archived blog post from the Davenport Public Library\u2019s website, special collections librarian Sarah J. Wesson wrote, \u201cThe Symphony has&nbsp;remained&nbsp;a cohesive group, weathering&nbsp;storms&nbsp;and uncertainties together. Though none of the original [early] musicians&nbsp;remain, of course, many of the current members have been with the orchestra for a remarkable length of time.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After 29 years with the QCSO, James Dixon left an impression as significant as his orchestra. Former QCSO executive director Lance Willett said, &nbsp;\u201cI think&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;something that rarely, if ever, will be seen again in most communities. That kind of dedication and connection to a community\u2026is the sort of relationship that exists very, very, rarely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about James Dixon and his local impact in the spring 2026 Main Library Gallery exhibit,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/exhibit\/orchestrating-community\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Orchestrating Community: The Public Service of Iowa Conductor James Dixon<\/em><\/a>, which closes June 26.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The following was compiled by Cecil Campbell,\u00a0exhibition\u00a0and engagement student lead for the\u202fMain Library Gallery,\u00a0and features select exhibition text by Sarah Suhadolnik and Katie Buehner. In 1916, the Tri-Cities area\u2014Rock Island, Illinois; Moline, Illinois; and Davenport, Iowa\u2014was the smallest community in the country to support a full symphony orchestra.&nbsp;Now the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO), it<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/2026\/04\/15\/students-investigate-james-dixons-lasting-impact-on-the-quad-city-symphony-orchestra\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">&#8220;James Dixon\u2019s lasting impact on the Quad City Symphony Orchestra\u00a0&#8220;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":272,"featured_media":990,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[22,2],"syndication":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/976"}],"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=976"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/976\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":998,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/976\/revisions\/998"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/990"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=976"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=976"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=976"},{"taxonomy":"syndication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lib.uiowa.edu\/gallery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/syndication?post=976"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}