[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 153 (Friday, September 3, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E953-E954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF WAYLAND ROGERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 3, 2021

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
my brother, Wayland Douglas Rogers, as we approach the first 
anniversary of his passing on September 9, 2020.
  Wayland was a special addendum from Santa, making his familial debut 
on December 26, 1941. We had a wonderful childhood, growing up in rural 
Wayne County, Kentucky. Music was always important to my family, but it 
was apparent early on that Wayland was gifted in that aspect. While we 
knew he was extremely talented, as we watched him lead the Wayne County 
High School marching band as drum major, we never dreamed he'd one day 
be nominated for a Grammy award.
  Wayland went on to study music at the University of Kentucky, Wichita 
State University,

[[Page E954]]

Northwestern University and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. He 
served as artistic director/conductor of The Camerata Singers of Lake 
Forest, Illinois, and music director at North Shore Unitarian Church in 
Deerfield, Illinois. He held faculty appointments at Northwestern 
University, DePaul University, Loyola University/Chicago, and Western 
Kentucky University, among other schools.
  Wayland's compositions garnered accolades from The Leeds University 
Liturgical Choir Competition, The Roger Wagner Center Choral 
Competition, Meistersingers Choral Competition, The Chautauqua Chamber 
Singers Award, The Illinois American Choral Directors Association 
Choral Composition Competition, The Vincent B. Silliman Anthem Award 
and the Thornesian Prize from Chichester, England. In 1986 his 
recording of Mozart with the Chicago Symphony Winds received a Grammy 
nomination for best chamber music, losing to Yo-Yo Ma.
  Wayland's voice was a gift to his family. Although he never had 
children of his own, he made a point of staying close with his nieces 
and nephews, and they adored him. His rich baritone voice graced many a 
family wedding and funeral.
  Wayland didn't limit his magnificent voice to song. He was of the 
strong conviction that all people are created equal, and he used his 
voice to speak out against societal inequalities and injustices.
  His greatest legacy, though, will be the talented musicians whose 
careers he helped shape and will continue to help shape long after he's 
gone. He loved to nurture talent, and throughout his career, Wayland 
offered guidance, motivation, and support to many young artists. With 
that goal in mind, before his death Wayland endowed a scholarship with 
the University of Kentucky's School of Music. I and the rest of his 
family look forward to following the careers of the recipients of the 
Wayland Rogers Scholarship for Excellence in the Performance of Art 
Song.
  Through his music and the University of Kentucky School of Music 
scholarship that bears his name, Wayland's voice will continue for 
generations. But for his family and friends, his compassion, zest for 
life, and love of everything beautiful will sing in our hearts forever. 
Rest in peace, dear brother.

                          ____________________