Peter Dickinson was born on November 15, 1934, in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. He was an English composer, musicologist, author, and pianist. He studied organ at Queens' College, Cambridge, and later at the Juilliard School in New York City under Bernard Wagenaar. Returning to England in 1962, he established courses in improvisation and experimental music at the College of St. Mark and St. John, Chelsea. Dickinson's academic career included lectureships at Birmingham (1966–1970) and a professorship at Keele University from 1974 to 1984. As a pianist, he often performed works by Charles Ives. His compositions include experimental and aleatoric elements, influenced by Stravinsky, Ives, Satie, Cage, ragtime, blues, and jazz. Notable works include three concertos: the Organ Concerto (1971), Piano Concerto (1984), and Violin Concerto (1986). Dickinson died on June 16, 2023, at the age of 88.
