WAYCROSS

magazine

The two areas of my chosen career are the music profes-

sion and the other I would refer to as public service. First, I
would like to highlight some of the most memorable moments
of my music career. 

1970’s -1990’s;
Appointed to serve on the Music Television Advisory Com-

mittee for the Georgia State Department of Education.

Organized, directed and produced a series of Composer’s

Concerts that were designed to feature local original composi-
tions by local area musicians.

Appointed by Lt. Governor Zell Miller to serve on the Citi-

zens Advisory Committee of the State of Georgia Senate
Music Industry Council. 

Prepared and arranged ceremonial music for the arrival of

President Brazaukaus of Lithuania.

In July of 1996 on his visit to Waycross during the Olympics

Produced an album of the Waycross Community Chorus con-
ducted by Lyndon Woodside.

2000-2015;
Researched and produced “From Waycross To the World”

music documentary that was broadcast on Georgia Public
Broadcasting (GPB) in September 2004. It is a history about
Local musicians who have achieved national and international
recognition up to the year 2000.

Received the Distinguished Guest Composer’s Award from

the Southeastern African American

Music Festival Consortium.
Wrote “Sacred Harp Singing In Hoboken, Georgia. It was

written to educate middle school students about the history
and development of sacred harp singing in their community.
The manual was officially approved and adopted by the Board
of Education.

Under the auspices of the African Methodist Episcopal

(A.M. E.) Church taught music in the Bible to ministers in train-
ing.

Composed “Listen To The Lamb,” a four-movement instru-

mental tribute in honor of Caroline Miller, Waycross native
Pulitzer Prize winner in 1934 or 1935.

Completed cantata “Sketches of Job,” a forty-minute sacred

musical work.

Composed theme songs for the Waycross Area Community

Theater and the Waycross City Commission meeting.

Overall, I have composed over two hundred musical compo-

sitions and arrangements. They include music for chorus, or-
chestra, band, piano, organ. Solo, voice, violin, guitar two
musical comedies, and two unpublished booklets about the
history and practice of music in the Bible.

Next to my music career is my interest in local/area history.

This led to the establishment of “Rogers History House” It is
an information source concerning various aspects of historical
events about people, places and things in Waycross and sur-
rounding communities. Its primary focus deals with Afro/Ameri-
can history dating from around 1830 to the in of the 1900’s.
The history house is an unfunded, nonprofit information serv-
ice. All information was researched, documented and edited
by yours’ truly. 

Local/Area Exhibits;
”From These Roots” at the Okefenokee Heritage Center
“From Waycross To the World Music Exhibit” (Okefenokee

Regional Library)

History and Development of Sound Recordings” South

Georgia State College Library(Waycross )

“Woods For Acoustic Instruments(Southern Forest World)
Other Services;
Lectures and live presentations about local area history
Non-denominational seminars and lectures about the his-

tory and practice of music in the Bible

Workshops about the music business (Copyrights, Publish-

ing, composing and songwriting.)

Locating grave sites.
Music Lessons in voice, piano. folk/classical guitar.

Willie is shown in his natural pose at the piano and he plays

with the violinist at a Heritage Center Gala.