Kristin A. Bowers (DGN Band Alumnus), is the principal clarinetist with The United States Air Force Band of Washington, D.C. A native of Downers Grove, IL, her career in the Air Force began in January 2011.
A graduate of Indiana University, Sergeant Bowers received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Clarinet Performance in 2006. She continued her education and earned a Master of Music degree in 2008 from Northwestern University.
Before joining the Air Force, Sergeant Bowers was the assistant principal and E-flat clarinetist of the South Bend Symphony in Indiana. She enjoyed solo performances with the Akademisches Orchester in Leipzig, Germany, the Texas Music Festival Orchestra, the University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra and the Northwestern University Summer Orchestra. Her teachers include Howard Klug, Steve Cohen and Lawrie Bloom.
Sergeant Bowers will perform as soloist with the DGN Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall.
Peter Wilson is an engaging and multifaceted
violinist and conductor whose musicianship has been noted as “first-class” by The Washington Post. He is Music
Director of the Waynesboro Symphony and Richmond Philharmonic Orchestras. Highly
respected throughout the National Capital Region, he has served as a violinist
of The White House for nearly a quarter century. He is also Concertmaster of
the American Festival Pops Orchestra and has guest conducted such renowned institutions
as the National Symphony Orchestra and the National Gallery Orchestra. He holds
music degrees from Northwestern University and The Catholic University of
America where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts.
Dr. Wilson began his professional career as Concertmaster of
the Walt Disney World Orchestra. For 12 years he was a lecturer at Catholic
University where he taught courses in conducting and string techniques while
serving as Resident Conductor of the CU Symphony Orchestra. A musician in demand
for his high energy, versatility and commitment to authenticity, Dr. Wilson is
active as a guest conductor, soloist, recording artist and performance
clinician throughout the United States.
He has appeared as violin soloist with
such legendary artists as Rosemary Clooney, Michael Feinstein, Renée Fleming,
Bernadette Peters, and composer/conductor John Williams. He is also cofounder and
violinist of the acclaimed string duo "Bridging the Gap" (with double
bassist Aaron Clay), which has been hailed for “superior arrangements and
uncommon musicianship” by The Washington
Post.
Having developed a
passion for historically informed performances, Dr. Wilson has researched and
conducted several restorations of great American works including Gershwin’s
original 1924 version of “Rhapsody In Blue” using his own critical edition, and
Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” Suite for 13 instruments. In addition, he has
championed Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” Concerti, performing as violin soloist and
conductor. He has appeared in international publications including The Strad, which stated “[Wilson] made
music that had the stamp of quality.” Dr.
Wilson currently resides in Fairfax, Virginia and is the proud father of three
sons.
Dr. Wilson will perform as soloist with the combined DGN Symphonic Band & Concert Band at Carnegie Hall.
