Carl Haywood

Carl Haywood, a native of Portsmouth, Virginia, is a cum laude graduate of Norfolk
State University (NSU) and a recipient of the Master of Sacred Music (organ) and
Master of Music (choral conducting) degrees from Southern Methodist University
(SMU). His matriculation at SMU afforded him further opportunities to study
composition, arranging, and conducting with Lloyd Pfautsch while serving as associate conductor-organist for the SMU Chapel under Dr. Pfautsch and Dr. Robert Anderson,his graduate organ teacher. Dr. Haywood, who received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California (USC), is recognized as a superb choral conductor/organist with superior musical acumen. Chair of Visual and Performing Arts and Director of Choral Activities at NSU for many years, he serves as a national clinician, adjudicator, guest conductor, and organ recitalist. His choirs have performed in
cathedrals, churches, and performance halls throughout the country, and twice at the
White House at the invitation of President Obama and the First Lady. A past member of
the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music in the Episcopal Church, Dr. Haywood
also served as Organist and Choirmaster at Grace Episcopal Church of Norfolk, Virginia
for twenty-five years and Conductor of the I. Sherman Greene Chorale for an equal
period. His hymns, spirituals, and service music appear in over a dozen hymnals,
notably LEVAS II and Wonder Love and Praise. Moreover, his choral and organ
compositions, especially his Improvisation on “We Shall Overcome,” are performed in
schools and churches throughout the world. He concluded his forty-four-year tenure at
NSU as Chief of Staff. Thus, such a storied career at his alma mater as a conductor,
composer, organist, educator, administrator, church musician, mentor, and promoter of
student success has secured him a place of distinction in the annals of Norfolk State
University.