Lucius Weathersby, scholar, composer
Submitted by N.O.V.A. September 2006
Times Picayune 05-27-2006


************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
************************************************



Lucius R. Weathersby, an assistant professor of music and
African studies at Dillard University known for his promotion
of composers of African descent, died March 17 of complications
from strokes at a hospital in Springfield, Mass. He was 37. 

Born in Houston and raised in Many, Dr. Weathersby earned a
bachelor's degree in music and German at Dillard and, after
earning a master's degree from the University of Northern Iowa
in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and a doctorate from Union Institute of
Cincinnati, returned to his alma mater in 1997 to teach. He
also studied at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
and served as director of music at St. Anthony of Padua Church
and as director of the Robert and Lillian Perry Singers. 

A concert organist, composer and lecturer in African-American
music, baroque music and keyboard technique, Dr. Weathersby
often spoke at other academic institutions. He lectured at Yale
University, Cambridge University in the United Kingdom and at
the University of London, as well as at meetings of the
American Guild of Organists. 

He released a series of CDs, including "Spiritual Fantasy," a
collection of organ works by African and African-American
composers, and recordings from a Hurricane Katrina benefit in
Germany, with a special track, "The New Orleans Suite,"
capturing the anxieties and hopes of New Orleanians trying to
recover. 

With Dillard's campus devastated by Katrina, Dr. Weathersby was
invited to Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he served as
a visiting artist and professor before his death. He also
served as director of music ministry at South Congregational
Church. 

Dr. Weathersby's wife, Diane, said the professor "shared a
passion for bringing people together" and was tireless in
promoting composers of African descent. 

She said he was a founder and board member for the
International Consortium for the Music of Africa and Its
Diaspora. In 2002, he helped stage the Festival of African and
African-American Music, or Fesamm, in Jefferson Parish. 

Students and colleagues signing an Internet guest book in Dr.
Weathersby's honor said he had a wide impact as a teacher,
scholar and performer. 

"Dr. Weathersby was a father to me," said former student James
Smith of Jacksonville, Fla. "As an organ major at Dillard
University, he took me under his wings and encouraged me
greatly. His love of people and music will always be remembered
each time I play." 

Dr. Weathersby is survived by his wife, Diane; his son, Lucius;
his parents, Curtis and Melba Richardson of Dallas; and a
brother, LeVar Richardson of Dallas. A funeral service was held
March 25 in Many. A special memorial service will be held
Sunday at 7 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 4640 Canal St.