Biography

Willis Bodine was a Professor of Music and University Organist and Carillonneur at the School of Music from 1959 until his retirement in 2003. He received his degrees and performance certificate in organ from the University of Texas at Austin in 1957 and 1960, and was a Fulbright student in organ, harpsichord and chamber music at Nordwestdeutsche Musikakademie in Lippe-Detmold, Germany from 1957-1959. While at UF, he was the Founding Director of the UF Chamber Singers, which have toured both nationally and internationally. He also founded and served as the Musical Director of the Willis Bodine Chorale from 1986-2004. His numerous awards include Musician of the Year (1987) from the Foundation for the Promotion of Music, Outstanding Achievement and Performance Award from the College of the Arts, Professorial Excellence Award, and the Distinguished Faculty Award from Florida Blue Key.