Wilder Deitz is a prolific composer and a powerful performer from Madison, Wisconsin. A professional musician since early adolescence, he is now Director of Music at Bread of Life Anglican Church, and co-founder and Director of the Wilder Deitz School for Creative Music. His Gospel-driven roots music is available at wilderdeitz.bandcamp.com, and live in performance around the American Midwest.

A musician from birth

Wilder grew up accompanying his Kentucky-born, singer-songwriter dad Ritt Deitz on tours around the Midwest. It was in performing with Dad’s roots-rock band that Wilder first picked up piano, guitar, bass, percussion- whatever Dad needed to serve the song. Wilder went on to lead his own bands in middle and high school, performing in clubs around town and booking a “Live and Local” series for young musicians. At the University of Wisconsin Wilder studied and taught under the mentorship of NEA Jazz Master Richard Davis.

Since then Wilder has performed and recorded professionally under his own name. He and his band have been featured on television, the radio, in opera houses, concert halls, coffeeshops, house concerts, and at festivals. His original music is deeply rooted in the American tradition, and is proudly centered around acoustic instrumentation. Coming to faith in Jesus Christ in 2023 has framed Wilder’s music toward presenting the Gospel in both sacred and secular settings.

Writing and Thought

Wilder frequently writes on the intersection of place, faith, and music. Much of his writing is published offline, but you can read some of it here.