Vernon Named Director of Bisonettes

Dr. James Vernon, Oklahoma Baptist University professor of music, has been named director of the Bisonette Women's Glee Club. He will assume the role in August for the fall 2010 semester.

The Bisonette Women's Glee Club was organized in 1954 by Warren M. Angell, former dean of the College of Fine Arts. Members are selected through annual auditions and represent various academic areas of the university. The female glee club performs at many campus events, including chapel services, Homecoming and Hanging of the Green. The group visits several Oklahoma churches and takes a multi-state concert tour each year.

Vernon teaches courses in music composition, music theory and other fine arts courses. He has composed works for instrumental, choral and vocal idioms, as well as music for stage play productions. He served as director of the Bison Glee Club for four years, from 1990-94. Twice honored with the Distinguished Service Award from OBU, Vernon was awarded the Promising Teacher Award in 1994, the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2005 and the Meritorious Service Award in 2009.

He has served as music director in churches in Oklahoma, including Shawnee, Pauls Valley and Sulphur, as well as locations in Texas.

Vernon earned his bachelor's degree from Old Dominion University, and his master's degree and doctorate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has done additional study at the University of North Texas. He is a member of the Society of Composers and the College Music Society. He also serves as an accreditation visitor for the National Association of Schools of Music.

A native of Chesapeake, Va., he lives in Shawnee with his wife, Lisa, a recent OBU nursing graduate and registered nurse. Their daughter, Meredith, is a senior at OBU. His hobbies include reading and bicycling.