There were some first-class solos by concertmaster Peter Wilson.” — THE WASHINGTON POST

Peter Wilson is an engaging and multifaceted violinist, conductor, arranger, and composer whose artistry has been noted as “first-class” by The Washington Post. He is the former senior enlisted music advisor to The White House, where he led countless ensembles and performed as a Marine violinist for 30 years in direct support of five Presidents. Upon retiring as String Section Commander of the Marine Band, he was awarded the Legion of Merit. Peter currently serves as Music Director of the Richmond Philharmonic and The American Prize-winning Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra in Virginia as well as Artistic Director and Conductor of the American Festival Pops Orchestra in the National Capital Region. He began his career as Concertmaster of the Walt Disney World Orchestra, has conducted the National Symphony and the National Gallery of Art Orchestras, and holds degrees from Northwestern and Catholic University, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts.

A true ambassador of music, Peter has soloed in unique venues including the Presidential Retreat at Camp David, The Vatican, and Carnegie Hall. He has soloed with such legends as Rosemary Clooney, Renée Fleming, and Bernadette Peters and performed the Theme from “Schindler’s List” at The Kennedy Center under the baton of Academy Award-winning film composer John Williams, who hailed Peter as “a brilliant musical artist.” He performed at the Library of Congress with Gershwin Prize recipient Stevie Wonder in the world premiere of Wonder’s “Sketches of a Life.” Peter is frequently invited to perform his moving solo violin arrangement of The Star-Spangled Banner for high-profile events including Major League Baseball games. A Cleveland native, he began studying violin at age two, later moving to Morgantown, West Virginia, where he became the first musician ever to receive the Governor’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in the Arts. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia national music fraternity honored Peter with its prestigious “Signature Sinfonian” award for his “outstanding commitment and dedication to the performing arts while serving as a successful role model.” The Strad magazine encapsulated his performances best, stating “[Wilson] made music that had the stamp of quality.”

VIOLINIST

MUSIC DIRECTOR

MARINE CORPS CAREER

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra

Waynesboro Symphony – Symphonic Masquerade

October 25 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm EDT

Richmond Philharmonic

Richmond Philharmonic – Romeo & Juliet

October 27 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT

Peter Wilson, "The Voice" of the USMC, retired

249th Marine Corps Birthday Ball

November 2 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm EDT

Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra

Waynesboro Symphony – Holiday Pops Concert

December 6 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST

“There were some first-class solos by concertmaster Peter Wilson.

Concert Review (April 4, 1995), THE WASHINGTON POST

“Wilson’s performance stressed the warmth and romanticism of the music and captured its youthful innocence and rapture… Wilson’s technical skills brought a sparkle to [the music]… and, overall, [Wilson] made music that had the stamp of quality.

THE STRAD (September 1996), International String Magazine

“…beautifully performed by the National Gallery Chamber Players under the direction of conductor Peter Wilson.”

Concert Review (July 8, 2014), ClevelandClassical.com

“From the opening notes of the Theme from Schindler’s List, [Peter Wilson’s] poignant, tender and highly personal reading of the music made clear to all that we were in the presence of a brilliant musical artist.”

John Williams, Academy Award-winning composer and conductor

“…Wilson’s pristine melodic lines.”     “…[the music] elicited showering virtuosity from Wilson,…

Concert Review (January 6, 2000), THE WASHINGTON POST

“[Peter Wilson’s] beautiful performance of my Chaconne… how gorgeous it was… and so true to the piece.”

John Corigliano, Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer

“…[Wilson’s] impassioned violin solo.

Concert Review (July 13, 2003), THE WASHINGTON POST

“Peter – I want to thank you so much for helping make our little anniversary dinner so special. To take the time, above and beyond your service to the nation, really meant a lot to the First Lady and me.

     – All the best, Barack Obama”

A thank you note from the 44th President of the United States