The Life of Dr. Augustus J. Pearson Jr
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Florida State University Libraries 2016 The Life of Dr. Augustus J. Pearson Jr. Charlie Toomer Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC THE LIFE OF DR. AUGUSTUS J. PEARSON JR. By CHARLIE J. TOOMER JR. A Dissertation submitted to the College of Music in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2016 Charlie J. Toomer, Jr. defended this dissertation on April 11, 2016. The members of the supervisory committee were: André Thomas Professor Directing Dissertation Michelle Stebleton University Representative Judy Bowers Committee Member Kevin Fenton Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members and certifies that the dissertation has been approved in accordance with university requirements. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my committee for their patience through this ordeal. First, I would like to thank Dr. André J. Thomas for his unwavering love for me. You have instilled so many things in me as a conductor, musician, but more importantly, as a man. I LOVE YOU SIR!! I would like to thank Dr. Kevin A. Fenton for his support throughout this process. I would like to thank Michelle Stebleton for agreeing to serve on my committee. Finally, Dr. Judy K. Bowers, words cannot express my gratitude for ALL that you have done to see me through this tedious process. I would like to thank my family and friends for their support. To my kids Sierra and Keneisha Toomer, daddy did it! Thank you for pushing me through this process. Thank you for lifting me up when my head was down. To Rashima Newton, thank you for all that you have done in helping me accomplish my dream. Thanks are extended to my colleagues at Florida A&M University, for giving me an opportunity to share my love of choral music with you and your students. I would like to thank Florida State University for giving me the chance that I never could have imagined 25 years ago. Finally, a huge “thanks” to Gloria Jones and Arnekua Jackson for the daily prayers. The two of you exemplified the true meaning of friendship and family. I love you both. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... vi ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. vii CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................1 Organization of the Study .........................................................................................................1 Problem Statement ...................................................................................................................2 Subproblems .............................................................................................................................2 Interview Protocol for Family Members ..................................................................................2 Definition of Terms ..................................................................................................................3 Delimitations of Terms .............................................................................................................3 Need for the Study ....................................................................................................................3 Purpose of the Study .................................................................................................................4 Methodology ............................................................................................................................6 Procedures ................................................................................................................................7 CHAPTER TWO EARLY CHILDHOOD ......................................................................................8 Historical Context .....................................................................................................................8 Parental Influences ...................................................................................................................9 Social Upheaval ......................................................................................................................11 CHAPTER THREE EARLY PROFESSIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL LIFE ..........................21 Advanced Musical Training (1962-1973) ..............................................................................21 Howard University .................................................................................................................21 Private Study ..........................................................................................................................23 University of Michigan ..........................................................................................................23 University of Kansas ..............................................................................................................25 CHAPTER FOUR COLLEGIATE TEACHING EXPERIENCES ...............................................26 Morris College ........................................................................................................................26 Fayetteville State University ..................................................................................................27 Florida A&M University ........................................................................................................38 CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE ............45 APPENDIX A: AN INTERVIEW WITH JESSYCA PEARSON-YUCAS, ...............................49 APPENDIX B: AN INTERVIEW WITH LONA CULMER SCHELLBACH............................64 APPENDIX C: AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. EARNEST LAMB .............................................70 APPENDIX D: AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. JANICE JAMES ................................................71 APPENDIX E: AN INTERVIEW WITH OLIVER GREEN III ..................................................72 APPENDIX F: AN INTERVIEW WITH MONICA HOWELL ..................................................80 APPENDIX G: AN INTERVIEW WITH TIJUANA ATKINS-WILLIAMS ..............................84 APPENDIX H: AN INTERVIEW WITH GERALD KNIGHT ....................................................91 APPENDIX I: AN INTERVIEW WITH JOHNNY WILLIAMS, JR. .........................................95 iv APPENDIX J: AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. AUBREY PERRY ..............................................105 APPENDIX K: AN INTERVIEW WITH HAROLD FREEMAN II ..........................................116 APPENDIX L: AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. JEFFREY REDDING ........................................127 BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................................135 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH .......................................................................................................136 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Topeka High School Yearbook 1962 .............................................................................16 Figure 2. August Pearson’s U.S. Army Honorable Discharge Certificate .............................24 Figure 3. Fayetteville State University Concert Choir, 1985.........................................................29 Figure 4. Fayetteville State University Concert Choir Recruitment Letter, 1986 .........................36 Figure 5. Photos from International Festival of University Choirs ...............................................42 vi ABSTRACT Dr. Augustus J. Pearson is widely known as choral music educator who made significant contributions to choral music education and influenced many of his students. Moreover, his far- reaching influence as a choral conductor in various institutions, organizations, and communities is noteworthy. This study documents Pearson’s contributions within the field of choral music education. Augustus J. Pearson was born in Topeka, Kansas on February 8, 1944 to Jamie and Augustus J. Pearson, Sr. He received his earliest musical training from his mother. He was a graduate of Topeka High School, where he was a member of the band and choir. He also played the organ and the piano. He served as the organist at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, where his father was pastor. He went on to pursue graduate study at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Master of Music degree in Voice. Later, he received a graduate assistantship and university endowment scholarship to complete a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Lambda National Honor Society, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), MENC, and the National Association of Negro Musicians. His college-teaching began in 1974 at Morris College. Afterwards, he taught at Fayetteville State University from 1979-1989 and at the Florida A&M University from 1991- 1995. vii CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Organization of the Study The life and accomplishments of Dr. Augustus J. Pearson are grouped naturally by life event. Biographical information, musical development, professional accomplishments, and collegiate contributions were all taken into consideration. Specific chapters are detailed below. Chapter One: Introduction A brief synopsis