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Nonprofit Leader Celebrates 50 Years of Singing
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Todd Wilson
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[Nashville, TN]
Upon meeting Todd Wilson, one senses an immediate awareness of his passion to connect with others. His enthusiasm to share his love of music is contagious, a tangible energy
filling the air.
Growing up in West Palm Beach, Florida, Wilson's musical gifts became apparent at a very young age.
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| Todd Wilson with the Wilson Family Quartet 1968 |
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Debuting as a six year old, Wilson performed with his parents and four year old sister in the Wilson Family Quartet.
In addition to singing, Todd displayed instrumental skills, playing
string bass, trumpet, and acoustic guitar.
His talent for choral conducting emerged in high school, evidenced as he received the coveted title of Senior Student Conductor of the Advanced Musical Chorus.
Wilson's choral conducting and leadership skills have been honed over the past four decades with a variety of different choruses in several states across the country.
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| Todd Wilson performing with the Vocal Majority in 1986 |
In 1982, Wilson moved to Dallas, TX to join the internationally acclaimed Vocal Majority Chorus. Privileged to spend 16 years active with the chorus, for 10 of those years, Wilson served as a section leader and member of the Vocal Majority music team, celebrating six International Chorus Championships along the way.
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| Todd Wilson performing in Harrogate, England with ACOUSTIX May 29, 2016 |
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Scott Pelley (of CBS News and 60 Minutes) talks about ACOUSTIX
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Wilson's time in Dallas also resulted in the formation of the quartet,
ACOUSTIX. That foursome won the International Quartet Championship in their very first attempt. Reflecting the zeal of its members, ACOUSTIX has performed in 48 states and ten countries, still thriving after 26 years. Their work is featured on six critically-acclaimed CD projects and over twenty audio and video releases. ACOUSTIX returned last week from concerts in Harrogate, England.
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| Harlan Wilson with Todd Wilson in 2015 |
Wilson's championship work with ACOUSTIX earned him the distinction of first 2nd generation International Quartet Champion in the history of barbershop singing. H
is father Harlan is the baritone in the 1961 gold medal award winning quartet, the Suntones-a group with which Todd also sang for thirteen years.
And the accolades followed Wilson across the country. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Southwestern District of Barbershop Harmony Society.
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| Todd Wilson directing the Houston Tidelanders in 2003 |
The Houston Tidelanders - a 90 voice men's chorus which Wilson led to two Top 10 finishes in international competition-awarded Wilson the Meritorious Service Award.
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| Todd Wilson directing the Brotherhood of Harmony in 2006 |
In Schaumburg Illinois, Wilson received the President's Award from the Brotherhood of Harmony Chorus.
The Nashville Singers made Wilson the first recipient of their Member of the Year award.
Since 2008, Wilson has provided leadership to
Nashville Singers.
Funding for and focus on the performing arts is at an all-time low. Wanting to make a difference, the Nashville Singers organization was founded with a mission to enrich lives through singing and the support of music education. This male chorus of 15 volunteer singers raises funds to support music education and fulfills this mission by presenting master classes on the art of a cappella singing to middle and high school students and vocal performance clinics to adults. In addition, the Nashville Singers have awarded $13,250 in music education grants and scholarships in the last six years, impacting hundreds of students in Middle Tennessee and beyond. Each year, the Nashville Singers also recognize an outstanding music educator by presenting the annual Carol Crittenden Arts Advocate of the Year Award.
Wilson received his college education from the University of North Texas, Strayer University, and Palm Beach Community College. He has completed more than 200 hours of classroom training from the Center for Nonprofit Management.
Todd's past and present affiliations include the American Society of Association Executives; National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences; American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers; Gospel Music Association; Chorus America; National Society of Collegiate Scholars; Tennesseans for the Arts; Barbershop Harmony Society; Center for Nonprofit Management; and Contemporary A Cappella Society of America.
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| (L to R) Jennifer Wilson, Taylor Wilson and Travis Wilson in 2011 |
Todd and his wife Jennifer have been married since 1989. They have two sons, Taylor (age 24) and Travis (age 20).
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| Todd Wilson directing the Nashville Singers in 2014 |
To help celebrate this Milestone, Wilson's nonprofit, the Nashville Singers will soon present their annual "Sounds of Summer" concert showcasing talented ensembles from Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Stockholm, Sweden. The concert will take place on July 10, 2016 at 2:00pm at the Grand Lodge located on Broadway at 7th Avenue.
Proceeds from this event help to fund music education grant and scholarship programs impacting students across Middle Tennessee. Headlining this year's concert is a dynamic foursome known as Ringmasters. Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, this youthful ensemble won the world championship of barbershop quartet singing in 2012. Attendees will also be treated to a performance by Vintage Mix, made up of three sisters and a brother born minutes apart. These 15-year-old quadruplets love singing acappella. Keeping with this family theme, the lineup also includes The Founders, a quartet that showcases the talents of Bruce Cokeroft and three generations of the Wilson family - (grandfather) Harlan, (father) Todd, and (grandson) Taylor. They chose their name as these four guys are the founding members of the Nashville Singers.
Hosting the afternoon's festivities is Holly Thompson, Emmy award-winning news anchor from WSMV Channel 4.
General admission tickets for the Sounds of Summer concert are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets for 65+ seniors, students, music educators, and active military are just $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Tickets can be ordered online www.nashvillesingers.org, or purchased at the door.
Media Contact: Michael Thornton
615-339-3885
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Todd Wilson with the Lads & Dads in 1973
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| Todd Wilson with For Pete's Sake in 1974 |
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| Todd Wilson with the Chord of Appeal in 1976 |
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| Todd Wilson with the Four Man Vocal Band in 1980 |
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| Todd Wilson performing with Bloebaum's Gang in 1984 |
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| Todd Wilson with the Class of the 80's in 1986 |
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| Todd Wilson with ACOUSTIX in 1990 |
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| Todd Wilson performing with Keepsake in Japan in 2009 |
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Todd Wilson performing with the Suntones in 2011
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| Todd Wilson performing with The Founders Quartet in 2013 |
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The Nashville Singers, Inc. is a Tennessee chartered corporation and recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Donations are tax -deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. For more information, visit our website or contact Executive Director, Todd Wilson by phone at
615-852-SING (7464)
or via email at
todd@nashvillesingers.org
Nashville Singers and Nashvillesingers.org are registered and protected service marks of The Nashville Singers, Inc.
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