Behind the Score: Fisher Tull
NCB member Betsy Ko (flute) has been doing genealogy for over 10 years. She decided that it would be fun to research the ancestry of one of the composers for NCB’s June 5 concert, American Dreams. Betsy chose Fisher Tull.
She has been documenting her research on WikiTree since 2019. WikiTree is a global family tree where the community works together to have one single, accurate profile for each individual. This website enabled her to conduct her research collaboratively, bringing Fisher Tull’s story to life.
Betsy had this to say about this fascinating project:
The project has been tremendously interesting and rewarding for me. It allowed me to research in Texas, an area where I haven't worked before.
After I created profiles for Fisher and his parents, I found that his paternal grandparents already had profiles on WikiTree. This was exciting news because it meant that he was now connected to “the big tree.” I also made contact with one of Fisher's grand nieces who researches on Ancestry. She was very generous in corresponding with me about the family and also shared some record images with me that aren't available online.
In genealogy, primary evidence like censuses and vital records for birth, marriage, and death are the gold standard, but they can also be dry reading. It was so satisfying for me to tell the story of Fisher's life and music in a way that went hand-in-hand with the records. You feel like you get to know someone when you're researching them. You might even find yourself referring to them by first name as though they were a friend!
This project has made my experience of playing Sketches on a Tudor Psalm much more meaningful.
Are you curious how Fisher Tull came to have the nickname Mickey?
Click HERE to find out and read more of his story.
Experience Fisher Tull's beautiful and haunting Sketches on a Tudor Psalm during Northshore Concert Band’s Platinum Season finale program.
AMERICAN DREAMS
Friday, June 5, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Niles North High School, Skokie, IL