Richard Wayne Dirksen
Encyclopedia
Richard Wayne Dirksen was an American
musician and composer, who served as Organist and Choirmaster of the Washington National Cathedral
in Washington, D.C.
, from 1977 to 1988. Previously he was Assistant Organist and Choirmaster from 1942 to 1964. In 1969, Dirksen was named the cathedral's precentor
, giving him administrative oversight of all worship services until his retirement in 1991.
Dirksen composed extensively, mostly choral and organ works, and his music continues to be regularly featured on broadcasts from the Cathedral. His 1974 opus, Vineyard Haven, has been called "widely acclaimed as one of the finest hymn tune
s of our day", by editors of hymnology.
, the eldest son of Richard Watson Dirksen and Maude Logemann. In high school, he played the bassoon
and was a drum major
. Awarded a scholarship, he then studied organ at Baltimore's Peabody Conservatory under Virgil Fox
, graduating magna cum laude in June, 1942.
at the Washington National Cathedral in February, 1942. Later that year, he began three-and-a-half years of military service during World War II
, resuming his post at the cathedral in December, 1945. In 1949, Dirksen was also appointed director of the glee club at the cathedral's affiliated St. Albans School
. In 1969, he was the first lay person in the Anglican Communion
to be named a Precentor
, meaning he had administrative oversight of all worship services.
During his long tenure at the cathedral, he produced ceremonial music and pageants for various occasions, such as the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976 and the consecration of the completed cathedral in 1990, attended by U.S. President George H. W. Bush
and other dignitaries. Dirksen was succeeded by Douglas Major
as Cathedral Organist and Choirmaster in 1988 and retired as Precentor in 1991.
His most well-known compositions include:
, an honorary doctor of music by Marymount College
in 1986, and the Medal of Excellence by the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music.
In 2006, the Cathedral Choral Society
at Washington National Cathedral
announced the establishment of an endowment fund in his memory to commission new Christmas choral music.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician and composer, who served as Organist and Choirmaster of the Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, from 1977 to 1988. Previously he was Assistant Organist and Choirmaster from 1942 to 1964. In 1969, Dirksen was named the cathedral's precentor
Precentor
A precentor is a person who helps facilitate worship. The details vary depending on the religion, denomination, and era in question. The Latin derivation is "præcentor", from cantor, meaning "the one who sings before" ....
, giving him administrative oversight of all worship services until his retirement in 1991.
Dirksen composed extensively, mostly choral and organ works, and his music continues to be regularly featured on broadcasts from the Cathedral. His 1974 opus, Vineyard Haven, has been called "widely acclaimed as one of the finest hymn tune
Hymn tune
A hymn tune is the melody of a musical composition to which a hymn text is sung. Musically speaking, a hymn is generally understood to have four-part harmony, a fast harmonic rhythm , and no refrain or chorus....
s of our day", by editors of hymnology.
Early years and education
Dirksen was born in Freeport, IllinoisFreeport, Illinois
Freeport is a city in and the county seat of Stephenson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 26,443 at the 2000 census. The mayor of Freeport is George W...
, the eldest son of Richard Watson Dirksen and Maude Logemann. In high school, he played the bassoon
Bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature...
and was a drum major
Drum Major
A drum major is the leader of a marching band, drum and bugle corps, or pipe band, usually positioned at the head of the band or corps. The drum major, who is often dressed in more ornate clothing than the rest of the band or corps, is responsible for providing commands to the ensemble regarding...
. Awarded a scholarship, he then studied organ at Baltimore's Peabody Conservatory under Virgil Fox
Virgil Fox
Virgil Keel Fox was an American organist, known especially for his flamboyant "Heavy Organ" concerts of the music of Bach. These events appealed to audiences in the 1970s who were more familiar with rock 'n' roll music and were staged complete with light shows...
, graduating magna cum laude in June, 1942.
Career at the Cathedral
While still studying at Peabody, Dirksen became assistant organist to Paul CallawayPaul Callaway
Paul Smith Callaway was a prominent American organist and choral conductor, particularly well-known for his thirty-eight years at the Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., between 1939–1977...
at the Washington National Cathedral in February, 1942. Later that year, he began three-and-a-half years of military service during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, resuming his post at the cathedral in December, 1945. In 1949, Dirksen was also appointed director of the glee club at the cathedral's affiliated St. Albans School
St. Albans School (Washington, D.C.)
St. Albans School is an independent college preparatory school for boys in grades 4–12, located in Washington, D.C. The school is named after Saint Alban, traditionally regarded as the first British martyr. Within the St...
. In 1969, he was the first lay person in the Anglican Communion
Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury...
to be named a Precentor
Precentor
A precentor is a person who helps facilitate worship. The details vary depending on the religion, denomination, and era in question. The Latin derivation is "præcentor", from cantor, meaning "the one who sings before" ....
, meaning he had administrative oversight of all worship services.
During his long tenure at the cathedral, he produced ceremonial music and pageants for various occasions, such as the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976 and the consecration of the completed cathedral in 1990, attended by U.S. President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
and other dignitaries. Dirksen was succeeded by Douglas Major
Douglas Major
Douglas Major is a prominent American composer of sacred music and concert organist. He is the former choral director and organist at the Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., where he frequently performed on nationally-televised services and state occasions.-Early life and...
as Cathedral Organist and Choirmaster in 1988 and retired as Precentor in 1991.
Compositions
Dirksen was also a composer of almost 300 works, mostly for organ and/or choir or theater. His music has been regularly featured on Christmas at Washington National Cathedral, televised nationally on Christmas Day, as well as the September 11 Memorial Service held at the Washington National Cathedral on September 14, 2001, which was attended by all living presidents but one and viewed on television by much of the world.His most well-known compositions include:
- A Child My Choice
- American Adventure (orchestral score)
- Chanticleer
- Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us
- God is our hope
- Jonah
- O be joyful in the Lord
- Vineyard Haven (the hymn tuneHymn tuneA hymn tune is the melody of a musical composition to which a hymn text is sung. Musically speaking, a hymn is generally understood to have four-part harmony, a fast harmonic rhythm , and no refrain or chorus....
for "Rejoice ye pure in heart" and other settings) - Welcome All Wonders
Personal life
He married Joan Milton Shaw in 1942 and the couple had four children: Richard, Geoffrey, Laura, and Mark. At the time of his death in Washington, D.C., on July 26, 2003, he was also survived by a sister, Phyllis, and a brother, Gerriet, along with seven grandchildren.Awards and honors
Dirksen was awarded an honorary doctor of fine arts degree in 1980 by George Washington UniversityGeorge Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
, an honorary doctor of music by Marymount College
Marymount College
"Marymount College" may refer to:* Marymount College, a Roman Catholic school located in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia* Marymount College, a Roman Catholic school located in Adelaide, South Australia...
in 1986, and the Medal of Excellence by the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music.
In 2006, the Cathedral Choral Society
Cathedral Choral Society
The Cathedral Choral Society is a 200-voice symphonic chorus based at the Washington National Cathedral. J. Reilly Lewis has been music director since 1985. He succeeded Paul Callaway, who founded the group in 1941...
at Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
announced the establishment of an endowment fund in his memory to commission new Christmas choral music.