Glenn W. Draper
A life filled with music is that of Glenn Wright Draper, a 1947 graduate of Andrew Lewis High School in Salem, Virginia. Glenn was a 1st Place Winner in the state of Virginia on trombone while in high school and served as president of both the Andrew Lewis Choir and the community chorus “Young America Sings”, which he directed in 1945. From this beginning began a most distinguished career.
Draper holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University, a Masters of Music from SMU (Southern Methodist University) and a LHD in Humanities from High Point University.
Glenn Draper organized and directed the Air Force Choir, which for two years won 1st place among military choirs. He conducted both the first and the second performances of “The Messiah” on NBC performed by military choirs and orchestra. For over two years Draper conducted weekly broadcasts for NBM and CBS. Glenn is the recipient of the Air Force Certificate of Outstanding Service for Mankind.
More recently, Dr. Draper has received the Love of Chattanooga (Tennessee) Award; the Phi Mu Alpha Best Teacher Awards; and a special tribute of thanks from the Governor of the state of Tennessee.
Dr. Draper and his wife of forty years, Louwelle, live at Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Their children are Glenn Wright Draper, II and Dean Draper. And, for forty years Glenn has been professor of music and choral activities at: Pheiffer College; the University of Miami; and the University of Tennessee. He is the professor known for helping many of his students to gradate from college.
Over the years, Glenn has participated in four White House Christmas Concerts with three different presidents. His 34 overseas tours with his choirs have allowed him to direct concerts before Prince Phillip of England, at the Billy Graham Crusades (Moscow, 192), and on five tours to Australia, two of which were Sydney Opera House concerts. He has also, for forty years, been the Director of Music at the Lake Junaluska World Methodist Assembly.
In recognition of his outstanding career achievements, Glenn Wright Draper was among the charter members inducted into the Salem Alumni Hall of Fame established by the Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association in 1996.
