Obituary for Winston Hughes WINSTON HUGHES Winston Hughes passed away on Wednesday October 3, 2018, at Regency Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Somerset, N.J. Winston was born in Perth Amboy, N.J. on January 10, 1934. He resided in Perth Amboy throughout his youth, and then attended Virginia State University. At Virginia State, he became the co-founder and co-director of the Omega Choraleers, a popular singing group from the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
It was his experience with this group and his student teaching that laid the groundwork for his future in music education. In 1956, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Public School Music. He later continued his musical studies at the College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College), and in 1966 received his Master of Arts Degree in Conducting.
Post college, Winston began his distinguished 40+ year career in music at the Edison Township Public Schools as a general music and choral teacher at Thomas Jefferson Junior High School. In 1964, he became Director of Choral Activities at Edison High School. In 1966, he began a four-year term as Chairman of Related Arts at Edison High School where he served as liaison for the departments of Art, Music and Industrial Arts.
In 1968, the Edison Jaycees named him Outstanding Young Educator of the Year. In 1971, he became Supervisor of Music K – 12, and in 1994, he served as Supervisor of Music and Art K – 12, until his retirement in 1996. Under his tutelage, the Edison High School Choir received numerous First Place and Overall Best Awards during 10 years of choral competitions.
In 1977, he became the first African-American to conduct the New Jersey High School All-State Chorus. Winston and Ruth Hughes married on August 25, 1963 and had two daughters, Diane and Donna. They primarily resided in South Brunswick, N.J. before moving to Spring Hills-Somerset Assisted Living Community in 2016.
He shared his love of music with his family and during their youth, his daughters played instruments, participated in their high school marching band and sang in various ensembles. Winston was a conductor/guest conductor and instructor for several other school and community groups including the Madrigal Singers of the Newark School of the Arts, and the 1988 Duke Ellington Chorus which performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and he performed with Talent in Triplicate. For five years he was the Artistic Director of the Ric-Charles Choral Ensemble, noted for its classical to gospel singing repertoire and its performances with such noted artists as Nancy Wilson, Lou Rawls, William Warfield and Maya Angelou.
Winston was a past president of the Edison Supervisors Association, a past state president of the NJ American Choral Director’s Association and past state president of the NJ Retired Music Educators Association. He served on the boards of the New Jersey Choral Directors Association, the North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club and the New Jersey Music Educators Association where he chaired the Multi-Cultural Music Committee. He was also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and adjunct faculty at the College of New Jersey.
At his retirement from Edison Township Public Schools, the Winston Hughes Scholarship was established to be given to students who exemplify the high ideals and standards he established. In 2004, Winston was inducted into the Perth Amboy High School Hall of Fame. In 2006, he was named a Contemporary African American Achiever by the Sons and Daughters of the Anguilla Benevolent Society, Inc
He received awards from numerous other associations honoring his achievements, including a local branch of the NAACP and write-ups in various local papers. Winston was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Perth Amboy and served as an Associate Choir Master. Winston was predeceased by his parents, Christopher and Helen Hughes, his wife Ruth Hughes and his brother, Calvin Hughes.
He is survived by his daughters Donna Hughes and Diane Hughes. Mr. Hughes is also survived by his brothers Christopher Hughes of N.J, Hilton Hughes of N.J., Eric Hughes and his wife Norma of Washington, D.C. and grandson Winston Latta. He is further survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and devoted friends.
In lieu of flowers and in remembrance of Winston Hughes, please donate to www. littlekidsrock.org/, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding music education in public schools.
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