Wilson, George (Conductor)

George C. Wilson (1908-2001) was an American music educator and conductor. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1931 and earned a master's degree from Columbia University in 1938. Wilson began his career as a conductor at Kansas State Teachers College and went on to conduct the band and orchestra at the University of Arizona. He spent ten years as the director of bands at the University of Missouri, from 1946 until 1956. Wilson was elected to the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) in 1948, became its president in 1965, and was named an honorary life member in 1998. He helped organize the 1966 conference of the International Society for Music Education, the first to be held in the United States. Wilson dedicated much of his life to the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, later renamed the Interlochen Arts Camp, and was elected its vice-president and director in 1950.

From the description of George C. Wilson collection, 1936-1982. (University of Maryland Libraries). WorldCat record id: 276997112

Dr. George C. Wilson was known as a music educator and conductor. He graduated from the University of Illinois and earned a master's degree from Columbia University. Dr. Wilson began his career as a conductor at Kansas State Teachers College and went on to conduct the band and orchestra at University of Arizona. He spent ten years as the director of bands at the University of Missouri, from 1946 until 1956. Elected to the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) in 1948, he was elected president in 1965 and was later named as an honorary life member in 1998. Dr. Wilson helped organize the 1966 conference of the International Society for Music Education, the first to be held in the United States, at Interlochen, Michigan.

Dr. Wilson dedicated much of his life to the National Music Camp, later to become Interlochen Arts Camp. In 1950, he was elected vice-president and director of the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan and starting in 1958, served as a full-time faculty member an the National Arts Academy. He later served as interim president from 1970 to 1971 of the Interlochen Center for the Arts. In 1973 he assisted Imelda Marcos with the development and planning of the Philippine Center of the Arts.

From the guide to the George C. Wilson Collection, 1936-1982, 1936-1982, (Special Collections in Performing Arts)