After 30 years of making music in the Northeast Georgia community, Dr. Wallace Hinson, a professor and chair of the music department at Piedmont University, is seeking retirement. Hinson has been with the university through multiple college presidents, saw the build-up of the music program and has watched as many of his students have gone on to have careers within the music workforce.
Hinson has been with the music program since the very early stages. He mentioned that he worked under the previous Piedmont University president, James Mellichamp when he was building up the music department.
“I came in, and at the time, he was the chair for the music department,” Hinson said. “It was just him and me, full-time. We had some part-time people too, but he just said, ‘You build a choral program,’ and he gave me a lot of leeway. The whole administration did. They were very generous and supportive in every way – financially and in spirit. They knew that what we were trying to do would be an excellent outreach for Piedmont College at the time in the community and in the region. The first word that comes to mind is grateful for this opportunity to be able to do what I’ve done here and have such fine support from my colleagues and from the administration to do some really fine things.”
An important part of Hinson’s career is the students.
“A constant highlight and constant joy are the students,” Hinson said. “I learn from them every day. Again, the word grateful comes to mind. I couldn’t be more grateful for what they do for Piedmont University, what they do for the Music Conservatory and what they do for me personally in a musical sense. In how they enrich my life on a daily basis.”
Although he has multiple concerts before he steps down from his position, Hinson has a farewell concert coming to the Piedmont Chapel on March 21. The concert is being held as a thank you to the community for their support.
“With the Piedmont University Singers, a select choir of 35, the Pro-Musica Choir, which are professional groups that I started this year through Piedmont, and we are all performing together on this concert. The Pro-Musica Choir are almost all alumni, there are 27 in that group, they’re either professional musicians or heavily involved in music in their church or community. Out of the 27, 25 are former music students here. That’s special to me, because I’ve watched these ‘kids’ come in as 18-year-olds, and now they’re in their 20s, late 20s, early 30s. Some even older. It’s been wonderful to stay connected with them all of this time and make music with them again. It’s been real special. The orchestra – it’s not a full orchestra this time. It’s just the string players from the Pro-Musica Orchestra. Many of these people I’ve played with over the years.”
Louise Bass is someone that stands out to Hinson as a professional, and that is the organist who will be playing alongside other musicians at the concert on March 21.
“She’s doing one piece with the Pro-Musica Choir, and probably the most significant part of the orchestra for the second half of the program,” he said. “Louise Bass is a fabulous organist and a dear personal friend who has been so exceptionally generous to the university always. She has been extremely helpful in our development over the years, and she’s very special to me.” Hinson mentioned that although Bass lives in New Mexico, she has traveled across the country to play for them for many years.
Hinson will be taking one final tour with the Piedmont Singers in the summer. “We’re having a tour down to South and Central Florida in that first week or so in May. That will be my last opportunity to work with the students. I’ll finish up the summer with administrative duties, and then July 31 my new chapter begins. Whatever that is going to be, I don’t know yet.” Hinson said.
Referencing that he feels that 30 years is a solid number, Hinson said the time feels right.
“It’s the right time for me. I’ve been conducting and teaching 39 years (total), and I’m ready for a new adventure,” Hinson said. “I will miss it here very much, this is where my life is and where I’ve invested so much time and effort. It’s hard to think about leaving, but you meet students and say, ‘Well, when this group graduates this year, that’s it,’ but the next year is the same thing, so it’s hard to pick the absolute. This is just the right time for me.”
Holding the concert as one thank you, Hinson is grateful for the support from many.
“I cannot overemphasize how grateful I am for Piedmont believing in me, and giving me the opportunity to be blessed by this faculty, my colleagues, the administration and especially the students. Absolutely first rate students here that have made my life for the last 30 years a true, grace-filled blessing,” Hinson said. “I can’t forget the community. They have been so supportive of our music program.”
Hinson’s farewell concert is on March 21 in the Piedmont Chapel. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m., admission is free and the event is open to the public.