Nineteen-year-old Anguillian musician, Devaunie Richardson, admired throughout the island for his dedication to – and high performance in – church music, has received a great deal of commendation for directing his first Gospel Concert.
The ambition-filled, and highly-motivated youngster, is an organ/piano musician in the Anguilla Methodist Circuit and occasionally plays by invitation in other churches on the island and in St. Maarten.
He gave a brief interview to The Anguillian following last Sunday’s Gospel Concert which he directed as part of the 50th Anniversary activities of the Maranatha Methodist Chapel, Blowing Point.
“I conducted a choir before at the Festival of Choirs and other events, but this is my first conducting of a concert,” he told the newspaper. “I am not too sure whether this will be an annual event but, if not, perhaps every two years. A concert is a big task. It takes a lot of responsibility and you have to be very committed as well. I thank God for the strength, the patience and the courage He has given me so far, and will continue to give me to direct this choir.”
Devaunie traced his musical steps as follows: “I started music when I saw my cousin, Shawnae Hazell, attending music class and I told my mother [Carmen Daniel] that I want to go to music class as well. Lois Hazell [my tutor] saw the potential in me. I started at grade 2 and music became a natural thing to me. It took a lot of commitment and patience. There are eight grades in music. I have completed four exams at the Royal Schools of Music.
“I started playing in church when I was thirteen years old. I used to play one or two hymns and then sit down and listen. Later, I was invited to play on the third Sunday at Bethel Methodist Church in South Hill, but I was there every Sunday because I love music and enjoyed what I did and what I will continue to do. I also play for the Bethel Senior Choir and the Bethel Augmented Choir.
Devaunie is particularly grateful to Lois Hazell-Carbon and Kimba Southwell because, in his own words, “they are the ones who helped bring me to where I am today. Lois pushed and pushed me and Kimba taught me to play the organ.” During the Gospel Concert he presented gifts to both Lois and Kimba, as well as Ms. Esther Davis-Roach (of St. Maarten), who also worked with him. They, in turn, spoke glowingly about him, each claiming in the process, to have mothered him.
He is also expressed thanks to Mr. Lennox Vanterpool, a Music Teacher at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School and Director of the St. Augustine’s Chorale, who was in the audience. “I admire Mr. Vanterpool. He is a great musician and I look up to him as well. He has taught me a lot and has encouraged me as much as he can to go off and study. I admire him a lot for that.”
Davaunie was asked how he felt to have had both of his parents (Mr. Wycliffe Richardson and Ms. Carmen Daniel) singing in the combined choir under his direction. “It is a great honour to have my mom and dad, and most of my other family members, in the choir. It gives me some additional encouragement,” he replied.
Questioned as to how he saw his future unfolding, the devoted musician responded: “I haven’t started as yet to look at where I wish to study music. I have been told about many places in the United States and England. I would, however, like to go to England to study organ and piano playing and conducting. I hope to teach music on my return home. I was actually given an offer when someone asked me whether I would be willing to teach persons wishing to learn to play music. I said ‘whenever you are ready you can call me’. I am planning to study music when I reach 21, in July next year, if everything works out.”
There is no doubt that Devaunie is one of the most ambitious, dedicated, and responsible youngsters in Anguilla. One becomes immediately attached to him and wishes him the very best in life – and in his pursuit of a noble and successful musical career.
