Robert Knight Dix (1917-2012) was born in Gallatin, Missouri. He studied piano and trumpet, played in bands, orchestras, small ensembles, performed as a soloist, and did a great deal of accompanying. He also developed a keen interest in science, and received a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and doctor’s degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in chemical engineering. After college, he took a position as an engineer then later as an executive with one of America’s largest corporations, where he remained for 35 years, first in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and then in New York City.
Throughout his school and professional years Dix maintained his interest in music. In college he played in concert band, symphony, continued to be in demand as an accompanist, undertook a brief study of the pipe organ, and became a member of the honorary music society, Phi Mu Alpha. Afterword, he remained active as a member and sometimes founder of such diverse groups as music clubs, a male chorus, barbershop quartet and a big-band orchestra made up of business-executive musicians. It was during a required jury duty stint in the 1960’s that he began writing music seriously, while commuting to and from the courthouse. In 1970, he undertook studies at the Juilliard School and studied privately with Stanley Wolfe of Juilliard for several years. Finally, in 1977 he retired from business to devote full time to music.
Dix was active in professional musical organizations and activities. For many years he and his wife Pat were in charge of the Silvermine Guild of Artists Summer Music Series in New Canaan, Connecticut. He served some 25 years as an active board member of the Waveny Chamber Music Society, also in New Canaan, and co-chairman of the Meadow Ridge Concerts in Redding, Connecticut. He was a founding member, long-time board member, and for several years vice-president of Connecticut Composers, Inc. He was on the board of directors of Connecticut Alliance for Music and an ardent advocate and supporter of Chamber Music America. From 1996 to 2003 he was executive director of the Renee B. Fisher Foundation Composer Awards, for commissioning new piano works for required performance by contestants in the Fisher Foundation competitions for young pianists. A member of the American Music Center and ASCAP, he received an ASCAP Special Award each year for 15 consecutive years.
Dix composed music for strings, woodwinds, various chamber ensembles, wind ensemble, chamber orchestra and full symphony. His works have been widely performed, especially in the United States. His Three Movements for Orchestra was premiered in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Early in his composing career, his Movement for String Quartet was selected by Horizon Concerts as the contemporary work in a series of concerts at various locations throughout New York City. Later, his Concertino for Chamber Orchestra with Piano won the National Competition for Orchestra Works, SUNY, New Paltz. His music exemplifies the expressive range of twentieth century classical music, encompassing touchingly lyrical passages as well as inventive dissonances. A New York Times reviewer wrote of his Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano: “…A thoroughly engaging work… It invites repeated hearings, and frankly restores one’s faith in contemporary musical invention.”