Black History Month at St. Paul’s was celebrated in style with a wonderful virtual service. During a time of virtual church, it was great that the possibility to create a rich service experience could be realized. It is with great gratitude and appreciation that we thank the individuals from outside the church who participated in our service as well as the individuals from within the church that contributed to performances and technical expertise to bring it all together under a single experience. St. Paul’s has a history of celebrating Black History Month and look forward to continuing the tradition. To learn more about some of the participants from the celebratory service please read on.
The Enchanting Steelpan
The Steelpan performers are Andy Phillips, Mark Mosca, and Elton Jones. These musicians, arrange music, teach and conduct Steel bands. While they perform individually, they come together for projects under the name of Enchanting Steelpan.
The types of steel pans used for the Black History Service are two sopranos, and a pair of alto pans. The song selections are: This Little Light of Mine, and Amazing Grace. The members of Enchanting Steelpan hope that the music will be a blessing to you.
Black History Service Sermon
The sermon for the virtual service was conducted by Randy Williams, an Anglican Lay Preacher.
Amanda Suzette Jones (Mezzo-Soprano) performed Lift Every Voice & Sing
Amanda Suzette Jones is a Canadian mezzo-soprano whose “ravishing coloratura” has delighted audiences, and has been hailed as a “confirmed talent” by critics such as Paula Citron, Classical FM 96.3, and Opera Canada.
Professional credits include: Opera in Concert (OIC): Malcolm, in Rossini’s ‘La Donna del Lago’, under the musical direction of Alison D’Amato; Tolemeo, in Handel’s ‘Giulio Cesare’ under the baton of Kevin Mallon and the Arcadia Orchestra; and the title role of Isis in the workshop of a new Canadian opera ‘Isis and Osiris’. Toronto Operetta Theatre: Manja, in ‘Countess Maritza’. Vocal Horizons: Mezzo-soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah.
Other notable credits include: Summer Opera Lyric Theatre (SOLT): the title role in Rossini’s ‘Tancredi’; Mrs. Gobineau from Gian Carlo Menotti’s ‘The Medium’; and Siren in Handel’s ‘Rinaldo’.
As a soloist she has performed numerous concerts and recitals around the GTA, including with the Italian Consulate in Toronto, and she participated and performed in Italy with the Daniel Ferro Vocal Program.
A graduate of York University, Amanda holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honors) degree, with a major in vocal performance. She is a First-Place winner and a recipient of the Ralph Appelman Award for Most Promising Graduate/Upper Level at the National Association of Teachers Competition, and winner of the York University Concerto Competition.
Many people are surprised to learn that “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was first written as a poem, created by James Weldon Johnson. The poem was set to music by Johnson’s brother, John Rosamond Johnson, and soon adopted by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as its official song. Today “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is one of the most cherished songs of the African American Civil Rights Movement.
Blessings from St. Paul’s. We hope you enjoy the service!
