Wishart Bryan Bell


Wishart Bryan Bell is an American choral conductor, pianist, music educator, and musicologist. In 1997, he joined the faculty at Bethel College, Mishawaka, Indiana. 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. In 2010 Vesper Chorale Inc. re-organized as Musical Arts Indiana Inc., creating a new parent organization. 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.

Selected discography

  • "How excellent is Thy name," Fantasy Sound, Kitchener, Ontario
  • "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

Selected publications

Education