Julian Stanley Dawson

March 19, 1937 - June 10, 2025

Pianist and Conductor, Julian S. Dawson, 88, formerly of Evanston IL, exited the stage on June 10, 2025 at Story Point Romeoville, with his loving wife, Birdi, by his side. He leaves behind a legacy of creativity, honesty, integrity, spirituality and humanitarianism that reached thousands of people on a profound level. In the words of students and friends, “Julian enriched my life, all of our lives. He was an educator of Music and Life, a gentleman and a gentle man.”

Julian began his earthly journey in Dublin, Ireland, spending his first 23 years there. He was one of those lucky people that knew his life path would be Music since the age of 5. When he was 8-years-old, his father died unexpectedly, a tragic loss that stayed with him for life. During those difficult post-war years, his mother carried on amazingly with the help of an aunt, assuring his success in a musical career. After winning national trophies and awards as a young pianist, he joined the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, where he also learned about conducting. He earned a degree in Music from Trinity College-University of Dublin and then gained diplomas in performance and teaching from the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music in London, England. While at Trinity, he was asked by the university to travel to the Steinway piano factory in Hamburg, Germany to select a new piano for the college. In his words, “It was a died-and-gone-to-heaven situation, being left in a room with 50 Steinways for 3-4 hours!”

In 1960, Julian was chosen out of 500 applicants to be Staff Accompanist for the British Broadcasting Corporation in Scotland. While at the BBC, he took on the herculean task of performing and recording all 32 Beethoven sonatas in several recitals, with performances in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Vienna in the l970-71 season. Feeling that wasn’t enough to do, he also added the complete sonatas of Schubert to his performance repertoire.

In 1970, he left the BBC for an appointment as Associate Conductor to Sir Alexander Gibson of Scottish National Orchestra in Glasgow. This was combined with positions at Scottish Opera and Kilmarnock Choral Union, the 100 member choir of Scottish National Orchestra. In 1973-76, Julian joined the Glyndebourne Festival Opera in Sussex, England as Associate Conductor, Chorus Master and vocal coach. During his time with the SNO, he conducted a Brahms piano concerto with the Korean/American pianist Tong-Il Han, who was responsible for bringing Julian to the United States in 1974 as a guest artist and a year later as a faculty member at Illinois State University. A one-year appointment as Lecturer in Music evolved into 26 years as Professor of Piano and Director of Orchestras and Opera.

During the ISU years, Julian played or conducted in hundreds of solo piano, chamber and lecture recitals, orchestra concerts, opera performances and recruitment trips, often managing all categories in one academic year. In 1985, he released a harpsichord/violin recording of 8 Violin Sonatas by Joseph Gibbs with Ukranian/Canadian violinist, Sergei Bezkorvany in London. In 1991, Julian took a sabbatical leave from ISU for a short-term appointment at Canterbury Christ Church University in England. During these 6 months, his greatest joy was spending much more time than usual with his children and 1st grandchild, Alyx, who lived there. A few years later, in a memorable 1997 performance, Julian played both Brahms’ Piano Concertos in one concert with the ISU Symphony Orchestra, conducted by his friend and colleague, Glenn Block. This concert was in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the death of romantic composer, Johannes Brahms.

Concurrently, additional appointments included Co-Conductor of the Bloomington-Normal Symphony, Opera Conductor at Brevard Music Center summer festival in North Carolina (1988-96), Opera Conductor for Oberlin in Italy summer program (1997-2009), orchestra member of Springfield Symphony and Adjunct Piano Faculty member at Northwestern University (1996-2015). By the time of his retirement from ISU in 2001, he had become an American citizen, Full Professor in the School of Music and winner of the Distinguished Service Award from the College of Fine Arts.

Upon retirement, the Dawsons moved to Evanston to be closer to Northwestern University, where Julian continued to be on the Piano Faculty until 2015. During the “Chicago” years, he continued to work for the Oberlin in Italy summer opera program. However, this schedule wasn’t quite grueling enough and he accepted positions as conductor/coach for Chicago Opera Theatre and DePaul University’s Opera Theatre autumn productions. This version of “semiretirement” still seemed too easy so in 2005, he added Intermountain Opera Company in Bozeman, MT to his workload, becoming their Artistic Director in 2009. He returned to ISU in 2007 and 2013 respectively, to perform Beethoven’s 4th and 5th (“Emperor”) Piano Concertos, conducted from the keyboard with the ISU Symphony Orchestra.

During his years in Scotland, England and America, Julian worked and performed with such musical luminaries as Nadia Boulanger, Sir John Barbirolli, Sir Adrian Boult, Sir Michael Tippett, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Georg Solti, Dame Kiri te Kanawa, Dame Janet Baker, Benjamin Luxon, Robert Tear, Philip Langridge, Anthony Rolfe-Johnson, Murray Perahia, Radu Lupu, Ko Iwasaki, Gregory Kunde, William McDonald, Doc Severinsen, Sammy Davis Jr. and author Maurice Sendak.

Julian enjoyed nurturing the growth of talent in all students. His gentle, kind, compassionate nature, boundless enthusiasm and strong belief in the power of music inspired and championed students and colleagues alike to become the best musicians possible, whether it be in the classroom or on the concert stage. It was in his humble nature to reach out and help others; he could never say No! Julian’s zest for life was truly an example of “Follow your bliss and you’ll never work a day in your life.” He had a heart of gold, unconditional love for everyone and an insane work ethic (which you’ll know if you’ve managed to read this far!).

Although a talented theatre actor, Greek and Latin scholar and “everyday” psychologist, Julian’s passion, work, hobbies and interests were all Music. However, there were more than occasional ventures into Irish joke-story telling, pretending he knew how to sail with son Chris and other friends, tearing around London like a Formula One racer in his Mother’s Mini Cooper, enjoying afternoon teas in England with any daughter that would indulge him (thank you Gabi, Harri & Jules), improvising duet parts to Beatle songs that his wife forced him to play at parties (that perfect pitch came in handy!), dancing to “Wild Thing” on the beach with sister-in-law Geri, fancying himself as an electrician and handyman (often with less than stellar results), and pretending he knew the names of his wife’s enormous family, even though it took him about 25 years with constant reminding. He was an only child, after all!

With a gift for intuition and nurturing, his presence, infectious smile and wit always turned ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. He couldn’t help but be the spark that ignited joy in every gathering, onstage and off. As one dear friend wrote, “Being around you both filled us with excitement. We knew we were in for an adventure, some good eating, lots of laughs and that we’d leave your company anxious to return again.”

Beloved husband of 48+ years to Roberta (Birdi) Dawson (nee Stimac); devoted, loving father of Gabi Humphries, Christopher (Kerry) Dawson, Julia (Russell) Young, of England, and Harriet (Jeremy) White, of Majorca, Spain; adoring grandfather of Alyx (Ben) Parker, James (Chloe) Merryweather, Chaz (Martina) Merryweather, Bryony Dawson and Jonathan Dawson; amazed great-grandfather of Sophie Parker, Joni Merryweather and Milo Merryweather; also survived by cherished sister-in-law Geri Pope, brother-in-law Richard Suter, and brother-in-law Joseph (Loan) Stimac, treasured nieces and nephew Elizabeth (Jason) Eaton, Alexander Pope and Christine (Dane) Moscatelli; adored great-nieces and nephew Michaela Letterle, Addison Letterle, Grace Moscatelli, Aubrey Moscatelli, Ariana Eaton and Greyson Eaton.

Julian was preceded by his parents, Joseph Stanley Dawson, Emily (Collins) Dawson and infant son, Godfrey Dawson; along with pet dog Blackie and pet cats Chelsea, Bruno, Soho and Winston.

Mrs. Dawson extends heartfelt gratitude to the phenomenal Nurses, Care Partners, Activities Staff and Receptionists at Story Point Romeoville for their exceptional care, strength, support, humor and love during Julian’s 31 months there. A special thanks to entertainer Frank Rossi for his monthly visits and extraordinary kindness to the “Maestro.” We are deeply grateful for the outstanding care, dedication and compassion of the Dover Hospice staff, especially Nurse Vicky, Abbey, Ashley, Mary Ann, Pastor Noah and Jill. An eternal indebtedness to sister-in-law Geri, for her weekly visits (with or without comfort dog Toby), poetry readings, lunches and holiday/ birthday parties. For your visits, music, food, gifts and support, a million thanks to nieces Elizabeth Eaton, Christine Moscatelli and “little Grace;” dear friends Geoff and Linda Hirt, Jean Hubbard and Bill McDonald, Susan and Jack Simonetti, Lori Freckelton, Linda Jaskoviak, Susan Valerugo, Ray Koncar, Julie Ryan, Jim Yarbrough, Kathy Wicevic, Meg Gillespie and her amazing staff at Magpie’s Joy of Eating in Joliet and the 4 Dawson children, Gabi, Chris, Harri & Jules. Lastly, a whole-hearted thank you to last day visitors: Christine & Dane Moscatelli, Willie & Jay Vidmar, JoAnne & Jim Vidmar and Geri Pope. Your presence was an enormous comfort and support for both Julian and Birdi.

Julian and Birdi were eternally “Just Married.” As soulmates and best friends, their life together was full of happiness, music, laughter, adventure, world travel, the best family and friends and most of all, Love. When you were in Julian’s magical presence, it was all about you and your life, never about himself. Great-nieces, Michaela and Addison, said it best: “He meant so much to all of us;” “Uncle Julian had a way to make everyone feel special, seen and valued. His kindness will always be remembered.”

A private Celebration of Life was held on October 4, 2025. If you would like to honor the memory of Julian, please consider the following:

• Make time for family and friends, even if they’re thousands of miles away.

• Give a child the gift of music lessons.

• Listen to classical music.

• Support the Arts.

• Support a pet shelter. Julian loved cats but any pet will do.

• Take a daily break with afternoon tea or any beverage of your choice.

• Teach LOVE.