The Music Ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mount Fortune has conducted its second annual Musical Extravaganza. The grand event culminated with a high-quality gospel concert on Sunday 16th July, 2023, in the church’s sanctuary, under the theme “God is Good; Let’s Praise Him”.
Last year (in 2022), the church’s first Musical Extravaganza was a phenomenal success. Thanks to one of the church’s music enthusiasts, Vernon Rogers, contact was made in Maryland, USA, with three musical experts to come to the island to particularly train and prepare a local combined choir – drawn from various denominational backgrounds – in the rudiments of music, singing and gospel concert performance. The focus, however, was on effectively worshipping the Lord with praises and joy in His sanctuary.
This year (2023) again, the trio comprising of Zina Johnson, Marcus Smith and Edmond Charles gracefully returned to do it all over again. Zina Johnson is an anointed Psalmist, Songwriter, and Choir Director who turns her testimony into song. Marcus Smith is a Psalmist, Chorale Director, Teacher, and Arranger who serves as Minister of Music at Ark Church, in Baltimore Maryland. Edmond Charles is a professional Pianist, Organist, and Musical Accompanist.
The three engaged the choir in intense training sessions and musical workshops that extended over a four-day period beginning on the evening of Wednesday 12th July and ending late in the night on Saturday 15th July.
Then, on Sunday at 5:00 pm, the concert enraptured the auditorium in an ambiance of praise and worship as the choir performed in ministry, utilizing all that they had assimilated during their training. Directed by Zina and Marcus, the Mass Choir of thirty-seven rendered several songs of praise to God the Father and to Jesus Christ His son. The exuberant performances reflected precision in note formation, merging with excellence in the musical accompaniment of the band, led by Edmond.
Choir renditions which blessed and inspired the audience included “Let Everything that Has Breath” by Twinkie Clark Terrel; “Thou Oh Lord” by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir; and “Day and Night Praise”, by Margaret Doureax, among others.
The song “There is no Way”, by Ricky Dillard was also featured by choir member Alaina Carty, while her sister Akema rendered Jen Johnson’s “Goodness of God. In addition, an original, “Hallelujah Amen”, written by Zina Johnson was featured by James Harrigan.
Guest Artists included Evan Webster and Melodious Praise. Zina Johnson herself took to the stage to deliver a stirring version of “It is Well With my Soul” which made an astounding impact on the appreciative audience.
Spearheading the Musical Extravaganza activities was the Church’s Music Coordinator, Marcia Hodge. She and her committee thanked a number of entities and individuals for contributing to the success of Musical Extravaganza 2023.
These included the Pastor and Board Members of the SDA Church; Monique Webster; Amethyst Saunders; Anthony Dolphin; Felicia Hill and Company of HillComSpec; Frederick Harrigan; Island Car Rental; Gratel Webster; Vernon Rogers; Mary’s Bakery; Shefoo Webster; Keith “Stone” Greaves; Radio Anguilla; Brother Lee; Kool FM; Kemrun Tisson; Samuel Gillis; Agnita Paris; Melodious Praise; Algernon & Maria Webster; Othlyn & Greta Vanterpool; The Planning and Fundraising Committee; and the facilitators, Zina Johnson, Marcus Smith and Edmond Charles.
Musical Extravaganza 2023 was a special time of spiritual refreshing and fellowship; and Marcia Hodge and the Planning Committee are already looking forward, with great enthusiasm to hosting Musical Extravaganza 2024.
