Dr. A. Joseph King presents Hiddie with the Distinguished Service Award from the School of Church Music, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2/4/2001

Miss Hildegard Jo Stanley was Chairperson of the Music Division at Brewton-Parker College from 1966-2001. In September of 2000, she became Brewton-Parker College's first Distinguished Professor. Miss Stanley received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Oklahoma Baptist University. She received her Master of Church Music Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a major in Conducting. She also earned the Education Specialist Degree from Georgia Southern University.

The Brewton-Parker College music program has grown from a one-person, full-time faculty, to a highly impressive program recognized for its outstanding achievements under Miss Stanley's tutelage. Miss Stanley conducted the Brewton-Parker College Choir for thirty-five years, giving concerts throughout the Southeastern United States. The choir performed on three occasions at the Southern Baptist Convention and two times at the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference.

In 1994, the Brewton-Parker College Choir traveled to Germany presenting concerts in schools and churches. On four occasions the Brewton-Parker College Choir traveled to the Middle East, performing concerts in Israel, Jordan, and Greece. Each time, the choir opened the Bethlehem Christmas Eve Choir Festival, which was broadcast on worldwide television. The highlight of one of the tours was performing Handel's Messiah at the Cultural Palace in Amman, Jordan for King Hussein and attending a dinner hosted by Crown Prince Hassan at the Royal Palace. While in Athens, Greece, the choir was given the opportunity to perform aboard the USS Kennedy Aircraft Carrier. In addition, the Brewton-Parker Choir recorded for the BBC.

Miss Stanley still remains very active in music by teaching each summer in three music camps sponsored by the Music Ministries Department of the Georgia Baptist Convention. In 1995, Miss Stanley was the conductor of the Georgia Baptist Convention Youth Choir mission tour to Germany. She is a former president of the Georgia Baptist Church Music Conference and has also served as an officer of the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference. As a charter member of the Jubalheirs, the women's choral group sponsored by the Georgia Baptist Convention, Miss Stanley continues to travel and sing with the group, presenting concerts in the United States, Germany, Italy, France and Moldova.

Miss Stanley has served as an adjudicator and conductor at various festivals and workshops in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Illinois, North Carolina, and South Carolina. She has also been the guest conductor of the Chorale at Glorieta Baptist Conference Center in New Mexico as well as being the guest conductor of the Youth Choir, Conference Choir, and the Chorale at the Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center in North Carolina.

Prior to coming to Brewton-Parker College, Miss Stanley served as the Minister of Music in Black Mountain and Forest City, North Carolina, and as a public school music teacher in Pasadena, Texas. Since retiring from her full-time position in May of 2001, she continues to serve in a part-time staff position as Consultant to the President and as an adjunct professor at Brewton-Parker College. Since the fall of 2001, Miss Stanley has served as the Interim Minister of Music at Vineville Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia, First Baptist Church in Claxton, Georgia and First Baptist Church of Jesup, Georgia. Miss Stanley's future goals include continuing her Interim positions, doing supply work, conducting choral workshops, and continuing in her position at Brewton-Parker College.

Dr. Mark Brister, President of Oklahoma Baptist University, presents Hiddie with the Profile In Excellence Alumni Award. November 8, 2003

Hildegard Jo Stanley is one of the "Pioneers," which is a small group of women who have helped pave the way over the past forty years for the acceptance of women conductors and women called to serve in the music ministry. As an inspiration for other women, Miss Stanley was the first female to:

• Major in conducting at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
• Conduct a major work in Chapel at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as a student.
• Conduct the Adult Choir for Music Week at Caswell Baptist Conference Center in North Carolina.
• Conduct the choral retreat for the South Carolina Singing Men and Women.
• Conduct the Baptist State Youth Choral Festivals in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Illinois.
• Conduct the Chorale for Music Week at Glorieta Baptist Conference Center.
• Conduct the Conference Choir for Music Week at Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center.
• Conduct the Youth Choir for Music Week at Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center.
• Conduct the Chorale for Music Week at Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center.
• Serve as conductor for the Georgia Baptist Youth Music Camp.
• Serve as President of the Georgia Baptist Church Music Conference.