TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Leonard H. Morton, Sr. 1927–2020 71 st Elder Watson Diggs Awardee, Music Educator, Musician, U.S. Army
A n article from the December 2011 issue of the Kappa Alpha Psi ® Journal described Leonard H. Morton, Sr. as possessing “…a passion that is equaled only by his zeal and enthusiasm regarding all songs of Kappa Alpha Psi ® . For brothers who attend Grand Chapters, he is the very personification of Kappa music. He is the leader of the Kappa Chorus that serenades at conclaves as well as the con- ductor of Kappa hymns at nearly every Grand Chapter Closed Banquet of the last generation.” Morton served as the Fraternity’s National Music Director "I've served under every Grand Polemarch since Oliver Gumbs [1979]. I've had a good run. It's been extremely rewarding." Known throughout the Fraternity for his brotherly crusade to “teach brothers to sing the Kappa Alpha Psi Hymn accurate- ly.” “When we sing Kappa songs together, we experience the heart and soul of our Fraternity," said Morton once said. "And when we come together to lift our voices to the fraternity, and then, to God, it doesn't get any better than that." Leon- ard H. Morton, Sr., the 71 st Elder Watson Diggs Awardee, peacefully entered into the Chapter Invisible, surrounded by his family on July 12, 2020, at the age of 92. Born in Chicago, IL, to Benjamin and Geneva Morton on September 10, 1927. He attended Chicago Conservatory of Music and graduated with B.S. and M.S. degrees in music education from Tennes- see State University in Nashville, TN. Morton joined the Fraternity as a 1949 initiate of the Tennessee State University Chapter, the Alpha Theta of Kappa Alpha Psi.
Morton led the effort to publish the Fraternity's revised songbook entitled Songs & Literary Works Book II. By Aaron Williams
While in the United States Army, Morton served in the 118 th Army Ground Forces Band. He achieved an extensive career as a music educator and professional musician. He began teaching at Wilson County High School, Lebanon, TN, where the city in 1957 declared “Leonard Morton Day” as appreciation for musical instruction to his students. He then served as the Director of Bands at Cameron High School in Nashville, TN (1961-1969), Supervisor of Music for Elementary Schools, for Metro Nashville Public School System. He was the first African American appointed to serve as Director of Music Education. Known also as a jazz musician, Morton was an outstanding pianist and arranger. The Leonard Morton Trio played at many musical nightspots in Nashville. He has directed many choirs and bands, includ- ing the Community based choir, Cam- eron Singers, American Baptist College Male Chorus, and founder of #30 Men of Clark. Morton was a devoted member of Clark United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN.
A Life Member of the Fraternity, Morton was a member of the Nashville (TN) Alumni since 1965. He served as the chapter’s 16 th Polemarch from 1979 to 1982. Chairman of the Fraternity’s Na- tional Music Committee, Morton formed and directed numerous Kappa choirs. He scored all of the newly arranged songs for the Fraternity’s International Music Project. Morton led the effort to publish the Fraternity's revised songbook entitled Songs & Literary Works Book II. At the 75 th Grand Chapter Meeting in 2001, the Fraternity bestowed the prestigious Elder Watson Diggs Award to Morton. The Alpha Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. estab- lished the “Leonard Morton Scholarship” in recognition of the many years of ser- vice by assisting their chapter in raising funds for scholarships. In 2017, the Jefferson Street Urban Merchants (J.U.M.P.) recognized Morton with its Jeffersonian Award. The award honors “an individual who embodies and embraces the unique characteristics of Jefferson St. and North Nashville through music and honors the musical heritage of
102 | SPRING 2020 ♦ THE JOURNAL
Publishing achievement for more than 105 years
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