Photograph by Joanna Jackson

Wilton has shared the stage with a wide range of popular artists and groups including…

…the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Soulive, Grant Green Jr., Bio Ritmo, Derek Trucks Band, Col. Bruce Hampton, Ike Stubblefield, Charlie Hunter, Toussaint, Kevin Kinney of Drivin’ N’ Cryin’, Marshall Tucker Band, Will Hoge, Mark Mathis, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Prince, The Greyhounds, Brian Jones, and the North Carolina Wind Orchestra.

Elder is a founding member of the Rasa Saxophone Quartet, who took the top prize at the 2003 MTNA National Chamber Music Competition in Salt Lake City, UT. The group has performed at Michigan State University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Wisconsin at Platteville, University of North Texas, University of Minnesota, Brevard Music Center, and Merkin Concert Hall. Rasa recently completed the premiere recording of All These Are Scenes of Life…by Allen Anderson which will be out on Albany Records later this year.

Wilton holds a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master of Music (M.M.) from Michigan State University. He studied primarily under Joseph Lulloff and Brian Doyle and has received additional instruction in master classes and lessons from Jean-Marie Londeix, Frederick Fennell, Clifford Leaman, Marianne Ploger and James Forger. As a concert saxophonist, Elder has appeared at various conferences including those hosted by the College Musical Society, North American Saxophone Alliance, and the World Saxophone Congress.

Elder is currently on faculty at Trident Technical College instructing in Music Appreciation. He leads his classes in an understanding of basic music elements, instruments, historical periods, genres, common musical forms, and music theory fundamentals. He also facilitates the students’ skill development in critical thinking, communication, and active listening.

Wilton has also instructed beginner and intermediate saxophonists of all ages in private lessons, clinics, and master classes since 1998. He guest lectures throughout the Charleston area at Daniel Island School, Moultrie, Laing, and Cario Middle Schools and James Island, Hanahan, and Wando High Schools. Elder has expanded his private teaching to include piano, voice, and music theory and is now conducting distance learning music lessons using video conferencing software with students throughout the U.S. and Australia. He also guest adjudicates the Charleston All-County Band auditions.

Elder currently resides, composes, teaches, records, and performs in Charleston, SC. In addition to performing as a solo artist, he has appeared with such local favorites as the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, Plane Jane, Quiana Parler & Friends, Joe Clarke Big Band, Crowfield, The Fire Apes, Two Three Ways, Permanent Vacation, The Secrets, Travis Allison Band, Graham Whorley, Sensai Cliche, Lee Barbour, New Music Collective, The Opposite of a Train, Designated Driver, Wadata, High Society, Dan Wright & the New Beat, Frank Duvall, Brad Henty, Jeff Bateman, Bobby Alvarez, Gino Castillo, Unkle Funkle, Battery Brass Band, Soul Function, Meeting Reid, The Footlight Players, Permanent Tourists, The Sneakers, Mighty Bofucious, DJ Mateo, Sam Favata, Shane Clarke, Whitt Algar, Mr. Goodstache, and leads the local all-star group Super Deluxe.