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.”