Buies Creek, N.C.—Campbell University piano professor Betty Wishart has received the ASCAP Plus Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. Given to established writers of non-broadcast music, the ASCAP Plus Award is based Copyon the prestige value of pieces written during the past year.
A professor of piano at Campbell University since 2003, Wishart’s works, “Remembrance” and “Toccata II,” were selected for inclusion in the CD, “Chroma: New Music for Piano,” performed by internationally known pianist Dr. Jeri-Mae Astolfi in 2009. Wishart’s compositions were two of only 12 pieces chosen for the CD from 164 scores submitted. Other major works that were considered for the award were “Exuberance”for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano; and “Journey” for flute, clarinet, violin and cello.
The ASCAP Plus Award is a monetary award based on the decisions of a panel of judges. This year’s panel included the New York Times Music Critic Steve Smith, Professor Emeritus of the University of Michigan Robert Reynolds and Choral Conductor Judith Clurman. Wishart was notified of the award in September.
Wishart received a bachelor’s degree in music from Queens University and a master’s degree in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She pursued additional study in New York City.
Prior to joining the Campbell faculty, Wishart taught piano at UNC-Chapel Hill and in Coral Springs, Fla., where she served as District President of the Florida State Music Teachers Association, president and director of the Broward County Music Teachers Association and co-founder of the Pompano Piano Competition. She has studied with several renowned instructors, including Wolfgang Rosé, Richard Bunger Evans and Roger Hannay. Her music, published by CPP Belwin and Conners Publications, has been performed throughout the United States, England, France, Italy, South Korea and Japan.
Wishart’s music has also been included in the National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Festival Bulletin. She has served as president of the Southeastern Composers League and as Composition/Theory Chair of the North Carolina Music Teachers Association.
Photo Copy: Campbell University piano professor, Betty Wishart.