| |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Artistic Director Dr. Betty Karol Wilson
|
|
Dr. Betty Karol Wilson, a native of Richmond, Va., is a graduate of Bridgewater College, Southern Methodist University, and Boston University. Her Ph.D. dissertation in Music History and Literature won the coveted Julius Herford Award from the American Choral Directors Association for her 1995 dissertation, "Choral Pedagogy: Crossroads of Theory and Practice in Sixteenth Century Germany." In addition to her scholarly pursuits, Dr. Wilson has conducted college, community, and church choirs for thirty years, primarily at McMurry University and Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. As a collegiate professor, she has taught voice, organ, piano, opera history, vocal pedagogy, vocal literature.
As a Choral Singer, she has performed and recorded with Tanglewood Chorus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Orchestra Chorus. She has also sung with the Abilene Opera Association, as well as serving as chorus master for La Boheme, Tosca and The Nutcracker Ballet. She has conducted choirs in concerts on international tours performing in cathedrals and castles in Florence, Rome, Paris, London, Edinburgh. Her choirs have also performed with the Moscow Boys Chorus and for the Texas Music Teachers Association. For fourteen years, Dr. Wilson was the Founder, Conductor, and Executive Director of the Classical Chorus of Abilene, a non-profit choral organization of five choirs for singers, ages 8 through adults.
For her community service and promotion of the arts, Dr. Wilson was given the Yellow Rose of Texas Award by Texas Governor, Rick Perry. She is married to Charles L. Wilson, physical therapist and tenor, and they both share a love of gardening, music, and art. Currently, the Wilsons are owners of the Apple Blossom Inn Bed and Breakfast in New Market, Va. Dr. Wilson is also the founder and one of the tour guides for the New Market Walking Tours.
|
|
|
| |
|
Accompanist Elizabeth McBride
|
|
Elizabeth McBride, pianist and organist, began her playing career at the age of nine. At twelve, she was accepted into the preparatory program at Hollins University in Salem, Virginia, and was a church organist at 14. Her musical studies continued until she received her Master's Degree from James Madison University, majoring in piano performance and accompanying, with a minor in organ performance. While there she studied with professors Richard McPherson and Steve Buchanan.
Over the span of twenty-five years, she has been in constant demand as a soloist and accompanist throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Currently, Ms. McBride is Associate Director of Liturgical Arts at Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and teaches piano from her home. She and her two daughters reside in New Market.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Accompanist Kathleen Ackerson
|
|
Kathleen Ackerson, accompanist for the women's chorus, is a St. Louis-born, classically trained pianist and vocalist. She has accompanied numerous choral groups and instrumentalists in St. Louis and Northern Virginia. Since joining Masterworks in 1998, she has accompanied Encore (a four-voice quartet) and sung with the Chorus. She and her husband, Guy, live in Mt. Jackson. Kathy loves being active in community arts organizations.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
