Dr. Lucius Weathersby (1968-2006) grew up in Many, Louisiana, and was educated at Dillard University, where he received a B.A. degree in German and music in 1989, the University of Northern Iowa (M.Mus., 1999), the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Union Institute in Cincinnati (Ph.D., 2002).

Following the devastation of hurricane Katrina, Dr. Weathersby was offered faculty positions at both Brown University and Amherst College. He selected Amherst. In September 2005 Dr. Weathersby was brought to the opening event of the Springfield, Massachusetts, Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and was immediately embraced by the entire community.

In January, 2006 he was appointed Music Director at South Congregational Church, Springfield, Massachusetts. Plans were underway for a series of local recitals and lectures, growth of the music ministry at South Church, and international travel. He was under the management of Kingsdale Artist Management.

As a composer, Dr. Weathersby showed versatility in works for organ and brass including his Fanfare for Choir (1993), Seven Last Words for chamber orchestra (1994), Suite in d for piano (premiered by members of the Phoenix Symphony, 1996), Tranquillity Suite for organ (1997), Spiritual Fantasy (premiered by the composer on the C.B. Fisk organ at the Myerson Center of the Performing Arts, 1997) and other compositions.

Dr. Weathersby performed in Europe, Central America, and throughout the United States. In addition to teaching and performing, he previously served as music director at churches in Louisiana, Iowa and Arizona. As director of music at the Church of the Beatitudes in Phoenix, Arizona, he founded a distinguished concert series. He also lectured extensively about African-American music, Baroque music and keyboard technique.

As conductor, Dr. Weathersby led numerous orchestral and vocal ensembles. While in Iowa, he conducted members of the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony. In Phoenix, the Sanctuary Choir of Church of the Beatitudes performed many major choral works with members of the Phoenix Symphony.

Dr. Weathersby lectured on such topics as Afro-American music, keyboard techniques and the music of the Baroque at Cambridge University, Yale University, the University of London and chapters of the American Guild of Organists.

Excerpt from an obituary by E Lary Grossman, PhD., The Tracker, the Journal of the Organ Historical Society. 2006,Vol 3-4

PROGRAM:
An Organ Recital of African-American Music

 Prelude and Fugato: Violet George Bowers (b. 1938)

 Yoruba Lament: Fela Sowande (1905-1987)

 Joie: Violet George Bowers

 Organ Suite (Premiere): Kevin George (b. 1963)

1.    Prelude

2.    Adagio

3.    Fantasia

 Fanfare and Toccata (Premiere): Wallace McClain Cheatham (b.1945)

 Spiritual Set: Noel DaCosta (b. 1929)

1.    Invocation

2.    Affirmation

3.    Spiritual

4.    Praise

Spiritual Fantasy: Lucius R. Weathersby (b. 1968)