Warren Nelson Payne

Nelson Payne, a native of Toccoa, Georgia grew up in Rome, Georgia, graduated from West Rome High School and received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Music Education from Jacksonville State University, Alabama where he played Trumpet with ”The Marching Southerners”, Bassoon in the JSU Wind Ensemble and Tenor Sax/Flute in the JSU Jazz Ensemble.. He also served as a Bassoonist in the 3rd U.S. Army Band at Ft. McPherson in Atlanta and the 84th U.S. Army Band in Fulda, Germany.

He was high school band director at Rockmart High School from 1974-1978 and at Habersham Central High School from 1978-2000. He was named "Star Teacher" at Rockmart High School and at Habersham Central High School and Teacher of the Year at Habersham Central. He has received numerous community and service awards in the areas where he has taught. In 1991, his Habersham Central Symphonic Band performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. His bands continually received superior ratings both on the marching field and on the concert and jazz stage. He has been a member of MENC, GMEA, The National Band Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. He was the 2002 director of the Georgia Lion's Club All-Star Jazz Band and has been active as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the Southeast.

He is married to Frieda Payne, clarinetist and retired band director at North Habersham Middle School where she served for twenty-four years and as Flag Corps Director for The Habersham Central “Band of Blue” from 1978-2000.

Nelson enjoyed thirteen years traveling in their motorhome with Frieda and hiking, trout fishing and golfing. Both Nelson and Frieda have performed as members of the Northwinds Symphonic Band, an adult community band located in Northeast Georgia.