Lawrence Singleton Weaver

March 4, 1936 - April 19, 2020

Lawrence Singleton Weaver was one of three children born to the late John and Laurine (Singleton) Weaver. He was a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta and received his doctorate from the University of Michigan. As a student at Morehouse, he was accompanist for the internationally acclaimed Morehouse College Glee Club and the Morehouse College Quartet in which he also sang tenor. After college, he performed as a lead soloist with the Fletcher Wolfe Chorale, which enabled him to be heard internationally. Mr. Weaver, by invitation of Maestro Wolfe, was the first African American member of the Atlanta Boy Choir when segregation was dominant in the south. In later years, he served as Accompanist and the Assistant Director of the internationally acclaimed Atlanta Boy Choir under the direction of Maestro Fletcher Wolfe and influenced the lives of hundreds of young Boy Choir singers throughout his years.

Dr. Weaver also held leading roles with the Atlanta Chamber Opera Society and appeared with the Detroit Symphony and in the Meadow Brook Musical Festival in Rochester Michigan. His brilliant skills as pianist and organist caused him to be in demand to serve in capacity for several of Atlanta’s leading congregations including Fort Street United Methodist, Church of the Incarnation, Radcliffe Presbyterian, Hillside International Truth Center, Butler Street CME, First Congregational, St. Paul of the Cross Catholic, Cascade United Methodist, and Mount Carmel Baptist Churches. He served as accompanist for the Philharmonic Society, the Morehouse College Glee Club, and the Morris Brown College Concert Choir on several occasions.

Well known throughout Atlanta and beyond, he excelled as pianist, organist, tenor soloist, vocal coach and choral director. He was tenor soloist for many churches in Ann Arbor, Michigan when he went to the university there. Mr. Weaver organized the Annual Evening of Opera Concert Series in collaboration with Dr. Anna Ruth Jones at Friendship Baptist Church of Atlanta. Several years later, he organized the Lawrence Weaver Chorale who were a group of very talented solo artists under Weaver’s baton. They sang spirituals and traditional choral works. In 2019, he was honored by The Atlanta African American Music Society for his many accomplishments.

One of Atlanta’s premier musicians, who brings to mind memories of more than fifty years of musical excellence and service to the Metropolitan Atlanta Community, Weaver excelled as pianist, organist, tenor soloist, vocal coach and choral director. Several Atlanta vocal artists sought his impeccable coaching ability including Kathye J. Gary, Wilbur Garner, Michael McBride, Sherry Dukes Williams and Darrel McGhee. Weaver often played at funerals and special programs all over Atlanta. Ms. Henrietta Philips Antoinin, contralto, often spoke of his excellent ability as a piano accompanist for which he played for her on numerous occasions. He was filled with the grace and humility that rarely is exhibited in such great performing artists. A greater portion of his life was dedicated to teaching voice and piano to young marginalized or underserved children in metropolitan Atlanta.

One of Atlanta’s premier musicians, Lawrence Singleton Weaver departed this life on April 19, 2020, a victim of COVID-19. His extraordinary talent and loving spirit will be missed, but long remembered. The world has lost a truly remarkable human being. In addition to his parents, Weaver was proceeded in death by all of his siblings and his wife, Ann. He is survived by his daughter Laurie Ann Weaver, two grandsons: Sergio and Micquel, first cousins Roslyn Pope, and Webster Pope, numerous relatives, and a host of friends and fellow musicians.

Lawrence S. Weaver Memorial Musical Tribute

Americolor Opera Alliance, Inc.

Greetings…………………………………………………Dr. Sharon J. Willis, Executive Director

Americolor Opera Alliance, Inc.

Prelude……………..… “The Lord’s Prayer,” Malotte…Ms. Alta Tena Sutton, pianist–arranger

Scripture…………………………………………………………….Rev. Gary Dean, Senior Pastor

Hoosier Memorial United Methodist Church

Old Testament, Psalm 139: 1 – 12

New Testament, Revelation 21: 1 – 7

Solo…………… “This Little Light of Mine,” spiritual……..Ms. Sherry Dukes Williams, soprano

Solo…… “I Want to Climb up Jacob’s Ladder,” arr. W.L. James……Ms. Jeanné Brown, soprano

Solo……….… “Wasn’t That a Wide River?” arr. Burleigh……..Mr. Michael McBride, baritone

Tribute……………………………………..………Ms. Kappitola Williams, neighbor and friend

Solo…………..….. “O Rest in the Lord,” Mendelssohn….…Ms. Pamela Dillard, mezzo soprano

Tribute…………………………………………………..…….Rev. Timothy Flemming, Sr., Pastor

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

Solo……………….…. “Ride On King Jesus,” arr. Johnson……..…Ms. Vernay Dabney, soprano

Solo……………….…….… “I’ll Walk with God,” Brodszky……….…Mr. Darrel McGhee, tenor

Instrumental Solo…. “Capriccio, No. 10,” Peter Christoskov….Dr. Roumena Georgieva, violinist

Solo…………………… “Ave Maria,” Bach – Gounod…..…….Ms. Bernice Hogan Hall, soprano

Tribute and Song………..…. “Summertime,” Gershwin…..…..Ms. Yolonda Williams, contralto

Solo………………..… “For You Alone,” O’Reilly and Geehl…………Dr. Wilbur Garner, tenor

Tribute………………………………….…………..Dr. Gregory Nash, Music Educator, Organist

Solo…………………..…. “Zueignung,” R. Strauss……………Mr. Parker Burton, counter tenor

Video Archive……………………………………………………………..Maestro Fletcher Wolfe

Atlanta Boy Choir

Solo………………………. “Jesus Loves Me,” Bradbury…….Rhys Alexander Gary, boy soprano

Solo……..….. “Heaven’s a Beautiful Place,” arr. Roland Carter…….Ms. Kathye J. Gary, soprano

Family Remarks…………………………………………….………..Dr. Roslyn Pope, First Cousin

Closing Remarks……………………………………………………………….Dr. Sharon J. Willis

Postlude……Symphony for Organ, No. 5, Toccata in F, Charles-Marie Widor……Mr. Trey Clegg

Instructor of Music, Spelman College and First Congregational Church Organist

Acknowledgements

Program Sponsor

Americolor Opera Alliance, Inc.

www.americoloropera.org

Rev. Gary Dean, Pastor

Hoosier Memorial United Methodist Church

Mr. Tommy Bolton, Recording

Dr. Sharon J. Willis, Piano Accompanist: Hoosier Recording

Ms. Amarylis J. Sueing

Recording and Audio Engineer

Mr. Jonathan Blanchard

Videographer

Mr. Karey Davis

Film Editor for D Maj 7 Productions, LLC

Financial Contributor

Dr. Gregory Nash

Fletcher Wolfe, Video Footage provided by

Dr. Roslyn Pope

Americolor Opera Publicity

Ms. Kathye J. Gary

Mr. Jonathan Blanchard and Ms. Marshalla Cofer

Social Media Managers

Ms. Deborah McCrimmon

Administrative Assistant

Mr. Michael McBride, Web Master

Dr. Sharon J. Willis

Executive Director