Honorary Member David Dawson - obituary written by John Midgley
David Dawson, news of whose death (Sunday, 9 May, 2020) has sent shockwaves around the Unitarian movement and beyond, had great love and enthusiasm for music, the outdoor life, his religion and his home and family. Raised a Stalybridge Unitarian and influenced by Keith Treacher to a love of the outdoors, he also began piano lessons as a boy and did well at Stockport Grammar school. There he was encouraged by field studies and music lessons, learning the viola. Soon he was playing in the Stockport Youth Orchestra and a string quartet. A short-lived exploration of economics and management training served only to show that his real vocation was teaching music. Encouraged by the Rev Arthur Vallance and others, he made his way to the (then) Royal Manchester College of Music. There he flourished with piano as an accompanist, played viola in the orchestra and sang in opera. Later came a PGCE at Manchester University where he won a prize.
Marriage to Christine came in 1965 and after some years in school-teaching in England and in Wales, where sons Alan and Richard were born, he moved into further education at Bingley College of Education, later transferring to Ilkley College. He stayed there until early retirement in his mid-50s. For a year he was Bradford music adviser and worked for Leeds University Department of Education,
supervising students on teaching practice.
A 2-year contract with the British Council to develop music teacher training courses for Turkish universities proved irresistible. It involved travelling in remote parts of that country, walking with a local tour company, playing chamber music with diplomats and work colleagues and training a Christmas choir at the British Embassy in Ankara. At least one of his many compositions comes from this period. After Turkey, until he was 75, David was an examiner for music grades with Trinity College London. This took him with Christine to many countries, with fascinating experiences.
All through his life, David was actively involved with Unitarianism at local, district and national level. Loyal organist at Bradford, active with the Yorkshire Unitarian Union, some lay preaching, various trusteeships, managing investments. He had already compiled Unisongs (1966) with Trevor Jones when he undertook the task of music editor of Songs for Living (1972), then Hymns for Living (1985) and then Sing Your Faith (2009).
He arranged many of the tunes and composed many new ones. A great love was the Unitarian Music Society of which he was president (see: https://tinyurl.com/y9fpufq8), conducting, composing anthems, playing for worship, always supportive and encouraging. He frequently prepared and conducted choirs for the GA Annual Meetings, often composing anthems for them. In the 1990s came further adventures abroad. He directed British Unitarians in Concert, which toured the UK as well as the US (twice) and Canada, later visiting Germany, Hungary, Romania (Transylvania) and the Czech Republic.
There were innumerable musical events at the Nightingale Unitarian Conference Centre over many years. He directed the production of the CDs of 100 hymns. Lately he was working on a musical, Oliver’s Journey Home, with Nick Morrice. Decades as unofficial music director of the Unitarian movement in Britain!
Many other committees and working panels attracted his interest. He was an active member of the Nightingale Management Committee for over 25 years, during the major redevelopment of the centre. For the GA Worship Panel, he compiled With Heart and Mind 1 and 2. For Lindsey Press Panel, he helped with the production of Life’s Journey and other publications. He served on the
Interview Panel for ministry students, was treasurer of the Unitarian Renewal Group, created a walks booklet for Great Hucklow and introduced Autumn Breaks and led Winter Walking weekends.
A member of Foy Society, he was active with Flagg Trustees (catering at the barn). So much, so generously given, it came as no surprise when he was appointed President of the General Assembly
(2006-7) and made an Honorary Member of the Assembly (2010). (How this would have pleased his parents!)
All his life playing, composing, arranging, practising, rehearsing, testing, examining, conducting. Wherever he lived, David sought out musicians, joined a string quartet, a choir or an orchestra, usually ending up as conductor. Soon after arriving in Ilkley he joined the local New Horizons Orchestra and in time became its musical director.
Warm tributes to his helpfulness, support and encouragement in his musical world have come in from orchestra members and from all over the UK and far beyond. How was all of this achieved? An appetite for hard work with escapes to the great outdoors, taking his sons on long-distance treks and wilderness bothying (look it up!) as well as country walks. He gained nourishment from his Unitarianism, cricket, theatregoing, his hospitable home and garden, the support of Christine, the family, Richard with Dang, Alan with Stini and the beloved grandchildren, Georgina, Charlotte and Florence.
His funeral was, alas, restricted by the coronavirus lockdown, but it is hoped that a fuller memorial occasion can take place when circumstances permit. Donations in David’s memory may be sent to: Help Musicians. Registered charity no.228089: https://tinyurl.com/y7tn9dc3