Music can change lives. Dr. Wayne Lord is one example
of just how true that statement is. An avid supporter of the arts in Augusta, Lord
has been playing piano in the CSRA for most of his life. He began taking piano
lessons as a child, and at age 15, he was playing the church organ at Immanuel
Baptist Church in North Augusta, SC. He went on to serve as the organist and
choirmaster at Grace United Methodist Church in North Augusta for more than 30
years.
But without the support of his parents and music
teachers, Lord’s story might be very different. “My father completed eighth
grade, my mother completed high school,” said Lord. “Both of them sacrificed
and supported me throughout their lives. They knew how important music was to
who I am as a person.”
Music wasn’t just a hobby, but a lifelong pursuit. Lord’s
professional life has been devoted to music and education. He earned his
bachelor’s degree in music, piano performance, at Augusta University, in 1972. (Fun
side-note: as a student, Lord performed in front of thousands as one of 16
back-up singers from AU for Barry Manilow). He later earned a master’s degree
in music education, an educational specialist degree and a PhD in educational
administration and supervision from University of South Carolina. He was the
Associate Dean for Faculty Research and Graduate Programs in the AU College of
Education, and after a short retirement (March – August 2019), he returned to
serve as Interim Associate Dean until they find a suitable replacement.
For as much as Lord has given to the community, it
would be remiss to speak of his accomplishments and not mention Vola Jacobs,
who along with Lord’s parents, had a tremendous influence in his life. In
addition to being a world-renowned pianist for decades and an advisor to the
Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society for more than 20 years, Jacobs’
contributions to music in the CSRA are endless. She taught piano at her home,
at the Augusta Academy of Music and at Augusta University, where she was a
member of the faculty for 28 years and was a respected and beloved teacher of
Lord when he studied there.
“While a student at Augusta College as a piano
performance major, Vola Jacobs was a major influence on my development as a musician
and a person,” said Lord. “As a teacher, she pushed me and set expectations
that seemed to me always a little beyond what I thought I could do at the
piano. To this day, I reflect on the piano literature she selected for me and
in amazement ponder how she challenged and guided me as a student. She saw in
me what I could not see in myself.”
This fiscal year, Lord endowed the Vola Jacobs Piano
Recital Concert for Augusta University in honor of his late parents, Ed and
Mary Lord. Lord hopes the annual concert will not only be a perpetual
remembrance of Vola Jacobs, but that it may inspire other alumni to honor
faculty who made a significant impact upon their lives and to create
opportunities to enrich and expand possibilities for residents of the CSRA and
students at AU.