University gospel director Cedric Weary stands up from the piano, his head still nodding as he shakes out his black leather jacket and addresses the choir about its upcoming Sunday performance. He ends every question with “Cool?” and within seconds the entire class responds in unison, “Cool.”
Cool is right.
After eight years at the University, directing three separate gospel choirs, Weary is moving to New Jersey where he will oversee seven choirs and direct one gospel group at Elmwood United Presbyterian Church.
Sunday will be his last directing performance at the University.
“I’ve grown up in the church and grown up in choirs and (around) music, and I think I’ll always be involved,” he said after the gospel choir’s last rehearsal. “It’s in my blood.”
In addition to overseeing Elmwood’s three campuses of choirs, Weary said he will be working on his record label, which is a subsidiary of Sony. He said writing and producing gospel and R&B music has always been his dream.
Weary’s students said they will remember him as a funny, talented director who has high expectations for his students, but also wants them to have fun.
“He’s very funny,” said University sophomore Alex Poling, who leads the alto section. “I’ve always told people it’s like having Eddie Murphy as a choir teacher.”
Being approachable and interactive with his students is important to Weary, who frequently jokes with his students throughout class.
“I try to let them just see me as another cat, and I make mistakes and they can laugh at me, because I certainly laugh at them,” Weary said, erupting into laughter himself at the end of this thought.
As an alumnus of the University School of Music who majored in piano performance, Weary said he learned first-hand the fun classes are the ones where students are motivated and respond better to critique.
“Having been a student at the U of O, where it’s just so serious sometimes and you’re afraid to sneeze or raise your hand… It’s always nice to have a class where you have a good time and breathe and enjoy it a little bit more,” he said.
Mike Principe, a University senior and tenor in the gospel choir, said he always feels encouraged and has a good time in class.
“He’s really eccentric and makes you want to be better,” Principe said.
As the director for the gospel choir, gospel ensemble and gospel singers at the University, Weary transcribes and arranges all of the music he teaches, for both the singers and accompanying musicians.
“I’ve gotten to perform with a couple Grammy-winning artists, and he is the best, hands down,” said University junior Zach Poelwijk, who plays keyboard for the choir.
Weary began playing the piano at 6 or 7 years old and sang in his church’s gospel choir around the same age, which his older brother directed.
“I hated piano lessons until the 7th grade, when I started playing for the choirs. Until then, I asked my parents every week if I could quit,” he said.
By the age of 14, Weary was the director of his church choir in Yakima, Wash., and as a senior in high school he performed with the A.C. Davis Jazz Choir.
During his career he was named “Outstanding Musician” multiple times, including at the “Mt. Hood Jazz Festival,” twice at the “CBC Jazz Festival” and twice at the “Shoreline Jazz Festival.”
“For me, writing music and coming up with something new is really relaxing,” Weary said. He has written and produced songs for 20 to 25 R&B and gospel artists, he said.
Weary said he had a very fulfilling eight years directing at the University and he will miss the students, faculty and staff.
“That’s the best way to go out – on top,” he said.
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