Soli Deo Gloria

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Soli Deo Gloria Board of Directors

Soli Deo Gloria's board of directors comprises individuals with outstanding professional achievements who are committed facilitating the creation of classical sacred music for the glory of God.

John Nelson, Artistic Director

Internationally renowned for his interpretation of the large romantic repertoire, John Nelson has conducted most of the world’s top orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia and Cleveland Orchestras, and the New York Philharmonic. Born in Costa Rica, John Nelson studied at The Juilliard School, where he won the Irving Berlin prize in conducting. From 1998 to 2008 he was Directeur Musicale of the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including a Grammy for his recording of Handel's Semele. Central to his work is the interpretation of the great sacred choral literature. To extend this tradition into the 21st century, Mr. Nelson co-founded Soli Deo Gloria in 1993.
Click here to read John Nelson’s blog.
For complete biographical information, visit International Classical Artists.

Peter J. Bannister, Associate Artistic Director,
Composer-in-Association

Peter Bannister is held in high regard internationally for his work as a composer and performer and his perceptive research and scholarship combining musicology and theology. Born in London, Bannister studied at King's College, Cambridge and as a French Government scholar in Paris, where he currently lives. He has been the winner of several prizes at national and international level as a performer and composer. As a solo pianist and organist, he has appeared with orchestras and in recital in a wide variety of European and American venues; his catalogue as a composer comprises orchestral, choral, chamber and solo vocal and instrumental music, with performances, commissions and broadcasts in Europe and the US.
Click here to read Peter Bannister’s blog.
Click here to visit Peter Bannister’s website.

Rev. Dr. Priscilla Felisky Whitehead, Chairperson

Priscilla Felisky Whitehead is a graduate of Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance. In recent years she has served as the Associate Minister at The Church by the Sea (United Church of Christ) in Bal Harbour, Florida. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University, where she was a Hopkins Scholar and recipient of the Billings Prize for preaching. Deeply committed to local parish, interfaith and community concerns, she is a past President of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center and of Switchboard of Miami, a past Chair of the Greater Miami Religious Leaders Coalition, and a member of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust Board, among many other involvements. She was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Johnson & Wales University.

Johann Buis

Johann Buis is active in interdisciplinary scholarship integrating musicology, ethnomusicology, and cultural theory, and he currently serves as the President of the Forum on Music and Christian Scholarship (FMCS). He has held positions at the Center for Black Music Research (CBMR), Columbia College Chicago and the University of Georgia, where he was tenured in musicology, and he currently serves as Associate Professor of Musicology at Wheaton College (IL). He holds degrees and diplomas from London University, Ball State University, the University of Cape Town, and the Orff Institute, Mozarteum Academy, Salzburg, among others. He has also been a Fulbright scholar and a Rockefeller Resident Research Fellow. He is much in demand as a lecturer for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Art Institute of Chicago, and other organizations. His professional activities include service on standing committees of the American Musicological Society (AMS) and the Society for American Music (SAM).

Kaye A. Filkin

Kaye Filkin is a graduate of Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology. She is active as a church musician as a singer, accompanist and worship leader. Her family and the pursuit of music are the central themes of her life.

 

Delta David Gier

Delta David Gier has been called a dynamic voice on the American music scene, recognized widely for his penetrating interpretations of the standard repertoire and his passionate commitment to new music. Since the 2004-05 season, he has held the post of Music Director of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. During his tenure, the orchestra has enjoyed tremendous growth, receiving the coveted ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming for five seasons in a row. Mr. Gier has also been in demand as a teacher and conductor in many highly regarded music schools, serving as visiting professor at the Yale School of Music, the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, the San Francisco Conservatory and SUNY Stony Brook. In addition, he has served as a juror for the Pulitzer Prize in music and the ASCAP’s Rudolf Nissim Composition Prize. In 2011, Maestro. Gier will debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as well as the Philadelphia Orchestra.
For complete biographical information, visit South Dakota Symphony's website.

Richard G. Gieser, M.D. 

Richard G. Gieser is an ophthalmologist specializing in retinal-vitreous disease. In addition to his practice at the Wheaton Eye Clinic (Wheaton, IL), he is a Clinical Professor Emeritus at Loyola Medical School. He has also taught at medical schools in China, India, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Romania, Nigeria, Uganda, Siberia, Afghanistan and Sudan. Dr. Gieser graduated from Wheaton College, received his medical degree from Baylor University, completed his residency at the Illinois University Eye and Ear Infirmary, and completed a fellowship in retinal surgery at New York Hospital. He was awarded the Outstanding Humanitarian Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2000, and was named Humanitarian of the Year by Baylor University College of Medicine in 2010. An avid lover of music, Dr. Gieser sponsors many recitals and programs in his home, church and community.

Carl J. Grapentine

Carl Grapentine is the host of the Morning Program on WFMT/98.7 FM, Chicago's Classical Music Station, weekdays from 6-10 a.m. Carl joined WFMT in 1986 after thirteen years as the morning host of the classical music station in Detroit. Carl presents pre-concert lectures for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Music of the Baroque and other area ensembles. He also performs as narrator with the Chicago Pro Musica and hosts concerts for numerous community orchestras and bands. An accomplished conductor and singer, Carl has twenty-five years of experience as a church music director. Currently he sings in the choir of Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest. He has also sung the national anthem for professional and collegiate sporting events at Wrigley Field, Comiskey Park, U.S. Cellular Field, Tiger Stadium, the Pontiac Silverdome, and the University of Michigan's Crisler Arena.

Bertrand Grunenwald

Bertrand Grunenwald has a unique dual-track career as investment banker and as lyrical bass singer. He was educated in sacred music from childhood, sang as soprano soloist during his early years, and is now married with three children, who have all sung in choirs. From 1998 to 2005, he served as Treasurer of the Musique Sacrée à Notre Dame. He is also a bass soloist at a professional level, having participated in international competitions and obtaining a prize in the Marmande international competition. To round out his career, with his graduate degree in Business Administration and his background as an investment banker, he is a partner at ARJIL, an independent French investment banking group that specializes in mergers and acquisitions.

Patricia C. Lane

Patty Lane is a Wheaton College graduate and a Registered Nurse. She does volunteer work and serves on several boards. Having always dreamed that her children would enjoy travel, reading, and music as much as she and her husband Bob do , she is delighted that they, as adults, enjoy great music.

Floyd G. Larson, Treasurer

Floyd is President of PaxMed International, a leading consulting firm in biomaterials technology and regulatory issues related to medical implants. He has extensive experience in product development, regulatory strategy, marketing clearance, and the translation of ideas to commercial reality. With his team at PaxMed International, Floyd serves medical device manufacturer clients in developing and implementing market-oriented regulatory strategy, preparing submissions to the US Food and Drug Administration and worldwide regulatory authorities, planning and managing clinical trials, and developing and implementing quality systems. Floyd has had a lifelong appreciation for the message and spiritual significance of sacred choral music. His opportunities to sing the great choral masterworks under the leadership of outstanding conductors have been cherished musical and spiritual experiences. He sings in the choir of Solana Beach Presbyterian Church in the San Diego area.

Timothy B. Newitt

Tim has been a lawyer since 1974 when he graduated from Georgetown University Law Center. He has worked in the public sector, for a corporation and in private practice. He joined the firm of Johnson Westra Broecker Whittaker & Newitt, P.C. in 1988 and became a partner in 1992. His practice consists mainly of civil litigation, and he has tried cases in Federal and State Courts all over the Chicago area. Tim went to Wheaton College where he majored in French. He received the M.A. in French from the University of Illinois and taught foreign language at the college level before enrolling in law school at Georgetown. He and his wife Judy have two grown sons. Tim is active in his church where he sings in the choir, is a lay reader and plays the trumpet. He is also in the trumpet section of the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest, where he served as a board member and board president.

Robert E. Sobel

For many years, Robert Sobel was a part of the administration of the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, as well as a singer with the Aspen Choral Institute. After ten years at the Festival, he left Colorado and pursued his musical studies at The Juilliard School. While in New York, he became involved with a special events and catering business, and was soon the General Manager of one of New York’s premier special events companies. He then decided to take a different turn of experience and enjoyed a successful career as a salesman of Men’s Suits at Bloomingdale’s. Sobel lends his time to a variety of passions and organizations such as SafeHouse Denver, a shelter for battered women and children, the Denver Women’s Commission, and various political campaigns. As pro bono Executive Director of Ascanio’s Purse, he assisted with the award-winning recording of Berlioz’s Benvenuto Cellini on EMI for the composer’s Bicentennial.

Paul Ten Elshof, Secretary

Paul Ten Elshof is a graduate of Calvin College with Masters work at Mississippi College and Northern Illinois University. He has extensive experience in sales and marketing in the food service industry. He currently serves as National Sales Manager for Ada Valley Foods in Ada, Michigan. His interest in music led him to pursue a music minor in college, leading to 35 years in church music as a Choir Director and Minister of Music. He also served as a Post Organist for the US Army while on active duty. He and his wife reside in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

 

Soli Deo Gloria Staff

The staff and volunteers of SDG share in common a love of classical music—in particular, sacred music. Please visit our Facebook fan page. We welcome your interest!

Priscilla Felisky Whitehead, Interim CEO

Priscilla Felisky Whitehead is a graduate of Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance. In recent years she has served as the Associate Minister at The Church by the Sea (United Church of Christ) in Bal Harbour, Florida. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University, where she was a Hopkins Scholar and recipient of the Billings Prize for preaching. Deeply committed to local parish, interfaith and community concerns, she is a past President of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center and of Switchboard of Miami, a past Chair of the Greater Miami Religious Leaders Coalition, and a member of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust Board, among many other involvements. She was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Johnson & Wales University.

Deborah K. Sawicki, Office/Finance Manager

Debbie Sawicki graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy. She put her career on hold for several years to raise her children at home. While an at-home mother, she was an active volunteer and served on one national and two local boards. She is an avid reader and is interested in ancient history, politics, travel and the arts. Music is prominent in her everyday life, as her daughters play the violin, guitar and clarinet.

Irene Forte, Project Manager

Irene Forte studied music education and piano at the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, where she received a Bachelor of Music Education degree. She taught vocal/general music in public schools for ten years, as well as private piano instruction. She resides in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and two daughters.

 

Marcia Broucek, Communications Manager

Marcia Broucek has a Bachelor of Music degree in Theory & Composition (Wheaton College, IL) and a Master of Creative Arts degree in Music Therapy (Drexel University, PA). She was the Managing Editor of two publishing companies prior to starting her own company, Innisfree Press. She also served as the Executive Director of the American Association for Music Therapy and as a freelance editor for spiritual book publishing companies.