Will has served as director of Darlington’s Instrumental Music program since 2005. Since that time, he has launched the Darlington Instrumental Music Conservatory, Darlington Lessons Academy and the Northwest Georgia Youth Orchestras. He holds a B.M. in Performance from the University of West Georgia and a M.M. in Conducting from Georgia State University. He is also chairman of the GMEA District 7 Orchestra Division and founder/conductor of Rome Sinfonietta. Will's wife, Annie, teaches strings at Darlington School.
How did you get your start into music?
Raphael Cumberbatch pulled me into band. We were friends in fifth grade and he asked one day if I would join band and play saxophone. He had just started on the sax and needed a friend to sit with in Beginning Band. I went home that night and asked my mom if I could join. At the time there were no rental options, so she spread the word amongst her coworkers and was able to find me a beat up old alto saxophone. My friend Raphael died that summer of leukemia but I stayed in band the next year because we were buddies and I missed him. I eventually tried to switch to the drums...but mom said "NO." Once I found jazz, I was really glad that I stayed on saxophone.
You've been the head of the Instrumental Music Conservatory for the past few years. How was that started and what has it been like?
The Conservatory has been operating for seven years. It started from a proposal I submitted eight years ago in an effort to boost the quality of the instrumental music department and eventually lead to an all-inclusive fine arts academy to boost the entire arts scene at Darlington. The journey has been interesting so far.
How do you think Darlington's music program differs from other schools?
Most schools do not have a strings program, especially in the immediate area and as compared to other small boarding schools. We also do quite a lot with a moderately small student population. What I like most is that students can come to Darlington, get a first class education in both core curriculum and fine arts. I would love to one day see a fine arts certificate for graduates.
What's your favorite song and why?
I'm torn on that question and for very good reasons...
- For the rock side of me, it is definitely "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd. Look at the lyrics sometime; they are beautiful. "So, so you think you could tell heaven from hell? Blue skies from pain? Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? Do you think you could tell?"
- For the jazz side of me, the answer is "Body and Soul" by Johnny Green. The melody and lyrics are so perfect and the chord changes are an improviser's dream.
- For the orchestral side of me, my favorite piece is "Siegfried Idyll" by Richard Wagner. The story behind that is a long one, but in short: Wagner wrote it in secret for his wife and hired the musicians to perform it on Christmas morning in their home. The musicians snuck in and aligned themselves in the foyer/stairway of the home and as the sun rose, they began to play...yeah, Wagner got himself out of the doghouse with that, you can be certain.
Is there anything you are looking forward to in the future?
Living another day. Watching my family flourish and grow. Developing the relationship with my wife. Teaching interested students and engaging those that are not yet interested.
