Vernon Roy Nicholson received his Bachelor of Arts
degree from McPherson College and Master of Music
Education degree from Wichita State University. He
taught 46 years in Geneseo, Wichita, and Goddard,
Kansas. Mr. Nicholson has supervised many student
teachers from Wichita State University, Friends
University, Bethany College, and Emporia State
University. He continues to be an active clinician and
adjudicator throughout the mid-states area. In addition
to his public school teaching, Nicholson directed church
choirs at Church of the Brethren, College Hill Methodist,
and Grace Presbyterian. He has served as State ACDA
President, KMEA District VI President, and State
KMEA President. Vernon has directed the Kansas
Ambassador of Music in European summer music tours
for 29 years. Mr. Nicholson was the first person to
receive the Harry Robert Wilson Award for outstanding
contribution to the choral profession in Kansas. He was
selected as an outstanding educator by the Academy of
American Educators, and was selected for Who's Who
Among American Teachers. McPherson College Board
of Trustees presented him a Citation of Merit for
outstanding service to profession, community, church,
and college. The national Federation of Interscholastic
Music Association awarded him the Outstanding Music
Educator of a seven-state area. Nicholson's profile was
presented on the Disney Channel as one of the top four
winners of the Fine Arts Division of the American
Teacher Awards.