Peter Wilson is an engaging and multifaceted performer whose musicianship has been noted as “first-class” by The Washington Post. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in orchestral studies from The Catholic University of America and was appointed Music Director of the Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra in May 2007. Dr. Wilson is a Master Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps serving with “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band as a violinist of The White House and Commander of the Marine String Section. He has made regular appearances at the Executive Mansion since 1990 performing as soloist and leader of ensembles.  Dr. Wilson has provided music for some of our nation's most historic events including the State Funerals of President Reagan and President Ford. He also makes frequent appearances as Guest Conductor with the National Gallery Orchestra of Washington, DC and throughout the United States as a conductor, concertmaster, violin soloist, and performance clinician.

Dr. Wilson began his professional career as Concertmaster of the Walt Disney World Orchestra in Florida. For over 10 years, he served as a lecturer for the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America, where he was Resident Conductor of the university symphony and Acting Director of the university wind ensemble while teaching courses on podium conducting and string techniques. Having developed a passion for authentic, historically informed performances, Dr. Wilson has conducted numerous ensembles of the Marine Band - our nation’s oldest musical organization - in restorations of great American works including Gershwin’s original 1924 version of “Rhapsody in Blue” and Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” Suite for 13 instruments as well as Schoenberg’s Chamber Symphony, Op. 9 and Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite No. 1.

As a violin soloist, Dr. Wilson has performed in such unique venues as the First Family’s Private Residence in The White House, the Presidential Retreat at Camp David, the Vatican before Pope John Paul II, the American Embassy in Paris, and Chicago’s Comiskey Park, where he performed his own arrangement of The Star-Spangled Banner to open a Major League Baseball game. He has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and has appeared as a soloist with such renowned artists as Rosemary Clooney, Michael Feinstein, Renée Fleming, Randy Travis, Chely Wright, and Trisha Yearwood.  In addition, he has performed in orchestras backing up such legends as Ray Charles, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Johnny Mathis, and Joni Mitchell, as well as Jimmy Page and Robert Plant in their Zeppelin UnLEDed World Tour. In 2000, he was invited to the Beverly Hilton where he performed violin solos during a special USO tribute to Bob Hope, and in 2001, he soloed at the personal invitation of former Defense Secretary William Cohen for a private book signing and release event honoring Quincy Jones and his autobiography “Q.”

Dr. Wilson has appeared in several international magazines to include The Strad, which stated, “Wilson’s performance stressed the warmth and romanticism of the music… [His] technical skills brought a sparkle to the [music] and overall, [Wilson] made music that had the stamp of quality.” The Washington Post has further observed his “pristine melodic lines” and “showering virtuosity.” Dr. Wilson has performed such acclaimed works as John Corigliano’s “The Red Violin: Chaccone for Violin and Orchestra,” after which he was praised by the award winning composer: “[Wilson’s] beautiful performance of my Chaconne…how gorgeous it was…and so true to the piece.” He performed the violin solo to Theme from “Schindler’s List” under the baton of composer John Williams at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Washington Post singled out Dr. Wilson for his “impassioned violin solo.”

Dr. Wilson was born in Cleveland, Ohio and began his musical training at the age of 2 as a Suzuki violin student of his mother Mary Wilson. He began piano studies at age 5 with his grandmother Maxine Cummins and later moved to Morgantown, West Virginia, where he became the first musician ever to receive the Governor’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in the Arts. He received a bachelor of music degree from Northwestern University and his master of music and doctoral degrees from Catholic University, where he was a concerto competition winner. He is also an alumnus of the Interlochen “National Music Camp” and the ENCORE School for Strings and his other violin teachers have included Linda Cerone, Jody Gatwood, Robert Gerle, Blair Milton, and Donald Portnoy. His primary conducting studies were with Victor Yampolsky and John Paynter, and he has participated in master classes with Marin Alsop and Gustav Meier.  Most recently, Dr. Wilson was selected as one of only nine conductors to work with Leonard Slatkin and the National Symphony Orchestra in the highly acclaimed National Conducting Institute in Washington, DC.

Dr. Wilson is a founding member of the highly acclaimed string duo, Bridging the Gap®, in which he performs with double bassist Aaron Clay. Hailed by The Washington Post for “superior arrangements and uncommon musicianship,” the unique duo performs works covering a wide range of musical styles in venues from private homes and schools to concert halls and stadiums. They released their first CD in 2003 and have become frequent guests of the Millennium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In 2004, Wilson and Clay were honored by their home state when each received the Music Award by the Arts and Humanities Commission of Fairmont, West Virginia in recognition of their “outstanding leadership and devotion to the enhancement of the arts.” When Wilson and Clay appear as an official string duo representing the Marine Band, they frequently perform post-luncheon entertainment at The White House for the President and First Lady as well as after-dinner entertainment for senior military and government officials throughout the National Capital Region. They especially enjoy performing educational and entertaining community outreach programs at primary and secondary schools as well as master classes and recitals at universities and conservatories throughout the United States.

An occasional composer and songwriter, Dr. Wilson wrote in 2001 “An American Pledge,” a song inspired by and featuring the American “Pledge of Allegiance.” The song was premiered by the Marine Band’s “Free Country” ensemble on September 8th, 2001—just three days before the terrorist attacks that forever changed America. He was interviewed by CNN for a feature that included a performance of the song, which aired nationally less than a month following the attacks. On the second commemoration of 9/11, further interviews and a performance of the song were aired in prime time on ABC’s Travel Channel. Dr. Wilson is leader of “Free Country” and performs as fiddle player and vocalist with the country-rock band. His most recent song, “Guarding the Streets of Heaven,” was written in honor of all Marine veterans of foreign wars.

In addition to his schedule as a musician, Dr. Wilson enjoys performing as a voiceover specialist and announcer. Twice he has served as Guest Public Address Announcer for “Bands of America” regional championships and has provided voiceovers for several military, federal, civilian, and commercial projects. For over 12 years, he has served as “The Voice of Marine Barracks, Washington, DC,” announcing over 50 parades and ceremonies annually.  His volunteer efforts as the official ceremonial narrator for the Marine Corps’ “Oldest Post” have earned him the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals. Dr. Wilson currently resides in Fairfax, Virginia with his wife Katie and sons Bradley, Gregory, and Thomas.