Born: September 22, 1929 (Columbus, NC)
Died: May 1, 2020 (Arlington, VA) – COVID-19
Education:
- Bethel High School (1947)
- Davidson College (1951)
- UNC-Chapel Hill M.A.
- Juliard School of Music
Taught:
- Music 2000-2005 pt
Notes:
- Fulbright Scholar
- Taught at Mars Hill College
- Tulane University
- University of Louisville 1965-78
- Ohio State University 1972-78
- University of the Pacific – Stockton, CA 1978-96
Sources:
- Catalogs
- Obituary
Reflection from Katie Oreskovich Loudin (Class of 2007)
William Whitesides has passed away from COVID-19 at the age of 90. This incredible man was my voice teacher my freshman year at WV Wesleyan College. He intimidated the heck out of me, because honestly, at 74-years old, he showed up for my voice lessons with more enthusiasm and energy than me. He loved music, and he loved to help anyone else who loved music. He let me sing some big repertoire (which I had no business singing at 18) because it’s where the passion was. Pedagogy be damned. I never did properly familiarize myself with the 24 Italian Art Songs and Arias book as a result. 😂
My favorite Whitesides story from my lessons was his advice about practicing in my high range and extending that range. He said that I needed to practice like I was a guest being invited into someone’s home…you stay for tea, but not for dinner! 😅
Soapbox time: If you knew Bill Whitesides and witnessed him singing up close, you knew his lungs were like bellows. When I knew him, I couldn’t imagine a more powerful set of lungs in anyone else. Some people can’t wear masks because of trauma or breathing disorders, but that should seemingly be a small number of us. If I go to the grocery store and see 100 people, 95 should be wearing masks. That is not the case, and we all know it. Some may be okay with losing a large segment of our population over 60, but I 👏 am👏 not. 👏 There are still memories to be made, stories to tell, lessons to teach grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and great years left to be lived. Take a cue from the WV governor, Jim Justice, and “follow the f’ing guidelines!” Wear a mask, don’t invade the 6-ft social distancing rules, wash your hands…and SAVE LIVES.