| 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. |
