John L. Anderson Jr. went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 15th following an extended illness. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Margaret "Margie" (nee Sikes); son, John Neil Anderson; sister, Joyce Oliff of Tallahassee, FL; brothers-in-law, Bruce Sikes (Amy) of Jacksonville, FL and Charlie Middleton of Tallahassee; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, John L. Anderson, Sr. and Jeannette Clark Anderson; and sister, Dorothy Ann Middleton.
John Anderson was a 4th generation native of Polk County. He graduated from Bartow High School 1973, Florida Southern College (BA in Music Ed.) 1976, and the University of South Florida (M.M. in Choral Conducting and Literature) 1984, and pursued doctoral studies at Nova Southeastern University 2003-2005. Known often as "Mr. A" to his students, he taught music in Polk County secondary schools (Mulberry MS, Auburndale JHS/MS, Jewett MS Academy, Bartow HS, and Lake Region HS). Choral programs under his direction not only grew, but thrived and achieved success being recognized at the local, state, and national levels. Choirs under his baton have performed in Washington D.C., as one of 5 choirs in Florida to be selected perform in Carnegie Hall in New York and on nationally released television specials and music recordings. He served on the faculty of Polk State College (2005-2020) where the music program grew and thrived under his leadership. The program grew in faculty, students and ensembles within the first several years of his tenure contributing to many student successes in university music programs beyond Polk State.
Other highlighted achievements during his career include being selected Teacher of the Year (Bartow and Lake Region High Schools) as well as being among the finalists for Polk County Teacher of the Year both times. While at Polk State College he received the NISOD teaching award and the MidFlorida Endowed Teaching Chair. He was also recognized with both a proclamation from the City of Winter Haven and a Fine Arts Service Award from Winter Haven's J. Owens Academy of Fine Arts.
Professionally, Mr. Anderson served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Vocal Association, Florida State College Activities Association Music Division, and Winter Haven Symphony Guild. He has frequently served as adjudicator and clinician at the local, state, and national levels. He was also a member of the American and Florida Choral Directors Associations.
In addition to his full time service as educator, he served part-time in several area churches as Director/Minister of Music and Organist (Mulberry UMC; First UMC, Bartow; First Baptist Church, Bartow (full and part time), First Presbyterian Church, Bartow; Hope Presbyterian Church, Winter Haven; and Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Winter Haven). He served for 10 years as conductor of the Walt Disney World Candlelight Cast Choir (a choir of over 1000 volunteer singers from throughout the cast of Walt Disney World). John and Margie served as hymn sing leaders for the Florida United Methodist Conference Women's Retreats for 20 years.
Additionally, John performed with the Tampa Bay Master Chorale, Lakeland Choral Society, and other choral venues (including one of the founding members of 'Acappella Praise' at First UMC Lakeland).
John was a gentleman who loved the Lord and lived a life of service to all who knew him. He loved to tell stories and share his experiences. He was dearly loved by his family, friends and students and will be greatly missed.
John Anderson was a 4th generation native of Polk County. He graduated from Bartow High School 1973, Florida Southern College (BA in Music Ed.) 1976, and the University of South Florida (M.M. in Choral Conducting and Literature) 1984, and pursued doctoral studies at Nova Southeastern University 2003-2005. Known often as "Mr. A" to his students, he taught music in Polk County secondary schools (Mulberry MS, Auburndale JHS/MS, Jewett MS Academy, Bartow HS, and Lake Region HS). Choral programs under his direction not only grew, but thrived and achieved success being recognized at the local, state, and national levels. Choirs under his baton have performed in Washington D.C., as one of 5 choirs in Florida to be selected perform in Carnegie Hall in New York and on nationally released television specials and music recordings. He served on the faculty of Polk State College (2005-2020) where the music program grew and thrived under his leadership. The program grew in faculty, students and ensembles within the first several years of his tenure contributing to many student successes in university music programs beyond Polk State.
Other highlighted achievements during his career include being selected Teacher of the Year (Bartow and Lake Region High Schools) as well as being among the finalists for Polk County Teacher of the Year both times. While at Polk State College he received the NISOD teaching award and the MidFlorida Endowed Teaching Chair. He was also recognized with both a proclamation from the City of Winter Haven and a Fine Arts Service Award from Winter Haven's J. Owens Academy of Fine Arts.
Professionally, Mr. Anderson served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Vocal Association, Florida State College Activities Association Music Division, and Winter Haven Symphony Guild. He has frequently served as adjudicator and clinician at the local, state, and national levels. He was also a member of the American and Florida Choral Directors Associations.
In addition to his full time service as educator, he served part-time in several area churches as Director/Minister of Music and Organist (Mulberry UMC; First UMC, Bartow; First Baptist Church, Bartow (full and part time), First Presbyterian Church, Bartow; Hope Presbyterian Church, Winter Haven; and Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Winter Haven). He served for 10 years as conductor of the Walt Disney World Candlelight Cast Choir (a choir of over 1000 volunteer singers from throughout the cast of Walt Disney World). John and Margie served as hymn sing leaders for the Florida United Methodist Conference Women's Retreats for 20 years.
Additionally, John performed with the Tampa Bay Master Chorale, Lakeland Choral Society, and other choral venues (including one of the founding members of 'Acappella Praise' at First UMC Lakeland).
John was a gentleman who loved the Lord and lived a life of service to all who knew him. He loved to tell stories and share his experiences. He was dearly loved by his family, friends and students and will be greatly missed.
John L. Anderson Jr. went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 15th following an extended illness. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Margaret "Margie" (nee Sikes); son, John Neil Anderson; sister, Joyce Oliff of Tallahassee, FL; brothers-in-law, Bruce Sikes (Amy) of Jacksonville, FL and Charlie Middleton of Tallahassee; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, John L. Anderson, Sr. and Jeannette Clark Anderson; and sister, Dorothy Ann Middleton.
John Anderson was a 4th generation native of Polk County. He graduated from Bartow High School 1973, Florida Southern College (BA in Music Ed.) 1976, and the University of South Florida (M.M. in Choral Conducting and Literature) 1984, and pursued doctoral studies at Nova Southeastern University 2003-2005. Known often as "Mr. A" to his students, he taught music in Polk County secondary schools (Mulberry MS, Auburndale JHS/MS, Jewett MS Academy, Bartow HS, and Lake Region HS). Choral programs under his direction not only grew, but thrived and achieved success being recognized at the local, state, and national levels. Choirs under his baton have performed in Washington D.C., as one of 5 choirs in Florida to be selected perform in Carnegie Hall in New York and on nationally released television specials and music recordings. He served on the faculty of Polk State College (2005-2020) where the music program grew and thrived under his leadership. The program grew in faculty, students and ensembles within the first several years of his tenure contributing to many student successes in university music programs beyond Polk State.
Other highlighted achievements during his career include being selected Teacher of the Year (Bartow and Lake Region High Schools) as well as being among the finalists for Polk County Teacher of the Year both times. While at Polk State College he received the NISOD teaching award and the MidFlorida Endowed Teaching Chair. He was also recognized with both a proclamation from the City of Winter Haven and a Fine Arts Service Award from Winter Haven's J. Owens Academy of Fine Arts.
Professionally, Mr. Anderson served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Vocal Association, Florida State College Activities Association Music Division, and Winter Haven Symphony Guild. He has frequently served as adjudicator and clinician at the local, state, and national levels. He was also a member of the American and Florida Choral Directors Associations.
In addition to his full time service as educator, he served part-time in several area churches as Director/Minister of Music and Organist (Mulberry UMC; First UMC, Bartow; First Baptist Church, Bartow (full and part time), First Presbyterian Church, Bartow; Hope Presbyterian Church, Winter Haven; and Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Winter Haven). He served for 10 years as conductor of the Walt Disney World Candlelight Cast Choir (a choir of over 1000 volunteer singers from throughout the cast of Walt Disney World). John and Margie served as hymn sing leaders for the Florida United Methodist Conference Women's Retreats for 20 years.
Additionally, John performed with the Tampa Bay Master Chorale, Lakeland Choral Society, and other choral venues (including one of the founding members of 'Acappella Praise' at First UMC Lakeland).
John was a gentleman who loved the Lord and lived a life of service to all who knew him. He loved to tell stories and share his experiences. He was dearly loved by his family, friends and students and will be greatly missed.
John Anderson was a 4th generation native of Polk County. He graduated from Bartow High School 1973, Florida Southern College (BA in Music Ed.) 1976, and the University of South Florida (M.M. in Choral Conducting and Literature) 1984, and pursued doctoral studies at Nova Southeastern University 2003-2005. Known often as "Mr. A" to his students, he taught music in Polk County secondary schools (Mulberry MS, Auburndale JHS/MS, Jewett MS Academy, Bartow HS, and Lake Region HS). Choral programs under his direction not only grew, but thrived and achieved success being recognized at the local, state, and national levels. Choirs under his baton have performed in Washington D.C., as one of 5 choirs in Florida to be selected perform in Carnegie Hall in New York and on nationally released television specials and music recordings. He served on the faculty of Polk State College (2005-2020) where the music program grew and thrived under his leadership. The program grew in faculty, students and ensembles within the first several years of his tenure contributing to many student successes in university music programs beyond Polk State.
Other highlighted achievements during his career include being selected Teacher of the Year (Bartow and Lake Region High Schools) as well as being among the finalists for Polk County Teacher of the Year both times. While at Polk State College he received the NISOD teaching award and the MidFlorida Endowed Teaching Chair. He was also recognized with both a proclamation from the City of Winter Haven and a Fine Arts Service Award from Winter Haven's J. Owens Academy of Fine Arts.
Professionally, Mr. Anderson served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Vocal Association, Florida State College Activities Association Music Division, and Winter Haven Symphony Guild. He has frequently served as adjudicator and clinician at the local, state, and national levels. He was also a member of the American and Florida Choral Directors Associations.
In addition to his full time service as educator, he served part-time in several area churches as Director/Minister of Music and Organist (Mulberry UMC; First UMC, Bartow; First Baptist Church, Bartow (full and part time), First Presbyterian Church, Bartow; Hope Presbyterian Church, Winter Haven; and Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Winter Haven). He served for 10 years as conductor of the Walt Disney World Candlelight Cast Choir (a choir of over 1000 volunteer singers from throughout the cast of Walt Disney World). John and Margie served as hymn sing leaders for the Florida United Methodist Conference Women's Retreats for 20 years.
Additionally, John performed with the Tampa Bay Master Chorale, Lakeland Choral Society, and other choral venues (including one of the founding members of 'Acappella Praise' at First UMC Lakeland).
John was a gentleman who loved the Lord and lived a life of service to all who knew him. He loved to tell stories and share his experiences. He was dearly loved by his family, friends and students and will be greatly missed.
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