Wishart Bryan Bell (born in
Canada, currently living in
South Bend, Indiana) is an American choral conductor, pianist, music educator, and musicologist. In 1997, he joined the faculty at
Bethel College,
Mishawaka, Indiana.[1] He retired in 2016.
Founder of Musical Arts Indiana
Bell founded Vesper Chorale in 1993, Vesper Chamber Orchestra in 1999, and the Children's Choir of Michiana in 2004.[2] In 2010 Vesper Chorale Inc. re-organized as Musical Arts Indiana Inc., creating a new parent organization.[3][4] Based in
South Bend, Musical Arts Indiana sponsors Vesper Chorale, Vesper Chamber Orchestra, Consortia, and the Children's Choir of Michiana. Bell served as artistic director of the organization and conductor from its inception until his retirement. He conducted his final concerts in May 2018.[5]
"How Can I Keep From Singing?", recording of hymns commissioned by Fine Arts Radio Station WAUS and the Howard Performing Arts Center, Andrews University September, 2007
"Lo How a Rose" traditional and modern carols for Christmas, 2001, with Vesper Chorale. Includes settings by Britten, Jacques, Willcocks and others
"The Light of the World," unaccompanied sacred choral works, summer 2000. Includes works by Distler, Duruflé, Poulenc, Rains, Shaw/Parker
"Holocaust Cantata: Songs from the Camps," DVD recorded and broadcast by Public Television Station WNIT, 2010[6]
Selected publications
Mozart’s Requiem: A Guide to Performing Musicians, published in the Journal of the Conductors’ Guild, 2007
What is a Church Choir? Article on philosophy of church choral singing, published in The American Organist, the journal of the American Guild of Organists, November 2006
Faith as Expressed Through the Arts. Essay calling the modern church to understand the vital role arts can play in worship, published in The American Organist, January 2007