Vernon L. Wiscarson Legacy
Vernon came to Salem as the Instrumental Supervisor of Music for Salem Public Schools in the Fall of 1939 when there were 8 grade schools, 2 junior highs, and 1 high school. He built an elementary music feeder program, hired band directors for the junior high schools, and in 1946, engaged the first string instrument specialist. He was president of OMEA from 1946-48.
He took bands and orchestras to many competitions and won top ratings. He stayed with the school system until 1948, at which time he and his wife purchased Wills Music Store, until 1977 when it was sold. Vernon died in 1978.
The family attended Oregon Symphony concerts in Salem from the beginning and Vernon regularly went backstage to say hello to musician friends, with his daughter tagging along.
The Oregon Symphony Association in Salem (OSAS) Board and Auxiliary wanted to begin a competition and name it after Vernon. It began in 1980 as The Vernon L. Wiscarson Young Musicians’ Competition and ran for forty years. This Audition Workshop is the successor to that endowed program.
Vernon and Edna’s daughter, Sandra, continues their legacy of supporting school music and is a former OSAS Board member.