Biography

Dr. Elwood "Woody" Keister is retired professor emeritus of choral music from the University of Florida. He was with the Department of Music from 1957 to 1980, where he taught voice and conducted the University Choir and the Choral Union. Keister has sung with the Robert Shaw Chorale, a group that recorded with Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony. He also is a founding member of the American Choral Directors Association. He attended Baldwin-Wallace College. While he was in the army he was able to take the courses he needed to complete his bachelor's degree. Keister then entered Eastman School of Music for his master's degree.  He went to Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of North Iowa) to teach voice; he also performed in the orchestra.  It was there that he met his wife, Gloria, a pianist and accompanist.  Keister earned his Ph.D. at Columbia University Teachers College.  He returned to Iowa for a year and then went to East Carolina Teachers College (now East Carolina University). Keister came to the University of Florida in 1957 as head of voice and choral activities.