Charles Dickerson
MLK Concert Guest Conductor
Charles “Chuck” Dickerson is the Founder, Executive Director, and Conductor of the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles. Over his 40-plus years of conducting, he has directed performances of many of the greatest orchestral and choral works throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Chuck also holds important compositional and arranging credits. His best-known work is “I Have A Dream,” a choral and orchestral setting of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s landmark speech. The work was performed for the unveiling ceremonies of the King Memorial on the National Mall in Washington DC, and at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles for Los Angeles County’s official celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the speech.
Chuck holds a Master of Music Degree from California State University, Los Angeles, and degrees from Howard University (B.S.) and American University (J.D.). He serves as Director of Music at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church and as adjunct faculty at Cal State Dominguez Hills and La Sierra University.
Chuck is married, has two adult children, and is an avid baseball fan.
Gary Pratt
MLK Concert Guest Conductor
The Santa Monica Symphony welcomes the return of Gary Pratt for his fourth season as guest conductor of the annual MLK Holiday concert. With his deep commitment to musical excellence, Maestro Pratt is a revered figure who infuses the MLK Holiday concert with the spirit of unity and diversity.
Mr. Pratt has led a distinguished career as a music educator, performer, conductor, adjudicator, and arranger. Upon his retirement, he became an Emeritus Professor of Music at California State University, Northridge, where he served as chairman of the CSU Northridge Wind Area, Director of Orchestras, and Director of Jazz Studies. His guest conducting engagements have included performances in both Europe and Japan, and his noted versatility as a music educator has made him a highly sought-after clinician and guest conductor of jazz ensembles, orchestras, and concert bands.
Mr. Pratt was awarded the California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Jazz Educator Award (2015) and was inducted into the California Alliance for Jazz (CAJ) Hall of Fame (2018).
