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Crossfire Brings In The Spirit
At Premier Baptist Church

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                   by Augustin Hinkson

New York - As daylight dimmed, on Saturday May 30, the half moon showered a bright silver glow over the Premier Baptist Church (PBC) at the corner of Tilden and Utica Avenues in Brooklyn, where the Rev. Robert Watler pastors. Inside, parishioners waited patiently past the 7 PM start time for the opening of a fund raising concert featuring Crossfire Steel Orchestra. Sensing the tension of the delay, Khuent Rose, the musical director of Premier Baptist Church and the arranger for Crossfire took to his double second (pictured). Accompanied by drums and bass and lead guitar, Khuent delivered a reggae-flavored version of “Glory To His Name.”  With the space warmed and opened to praises, Assistant Pastor Gideon Akers assumed his master of ceremonies duties declaring, “The Holy Ghost Power is in the house tonight, what we can’t do with words, we will do with music.”


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Assistant Pastor Gideon further reminded those in attendance to honor God in all of situations, good and bad. With that said, he brought on the PBC Singers led by soprano, Inga Wynn, supported by altos Sheila Parson, Mildred Bodden, bass Norman Ankle and Minister of Music, John Callendar on drums. The PBC singers offered in spirited song, “Holy Are You Lord”, “Shout To The Lord”, “All My Help” and “I Feel Like Running.” Their singing brought hands in the air and invoked dancing in the aisles. They sang with exuberance and profound gratitude for deliverance, “I feel, like stepping, praising the Lord, for what He has done for me.”

An appearance then came from the tall and elegant soprano soloist, Carla Fouche. She graced the audience with her first song, “We Shall Behold Him.”  Her charming, powerful, yet smooth voice commanded the hush of a deep listening. She followed with “Lord You’re Holy.”  In moving and outstanding clarity, she sang the words, “We lift You up and magnify Your Name-- Not enough words I can say, to appreciate all that You have given to me—You’re worthy of all the glory and all the praise – I don’t why You would love me and show me so much mercy.” Ms. Fouche sang with pre-recorded background music that worked within the context of a small church concert but the attentive listener could hear her voice calling for the complement of a full orchestra. The audience responded to Ms. Fouche’s gift of song with a standing ovation and shouts of approval.

At 8:45 PM Crossfire Steel Orchestra, smartly dressed in maroon shirts and black pants, took their positions at their instruments. The orchestra of seven women and four men were the perfect picture of Caribbean warmth, African beauty, talent and youth. Crossfire tendered a series of short medleys to the immense delight of the audience. The first included renditions of “Stand Up, Tell Me If You Love My Jesus”, “This Is The Day”, and “If You Want To See.” With these songs, followed by a tenor and cello duet of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” by Navarre Mason and arranger Khuent Rose, the magical sound of steel pans filled Premier Baptist Church with a ring of authenticity and the pride of all the history, charm and genius that has fashioned the art form of playing and constructing the instruments.

The second medley included “Deliverance”, an upbeat, Baptist version of “By The Rivers Of Babylon” and “I Am Delivered.” At this point the performance was exciting enough to want more. But after only twenty-five minutes Rev. Gideon called for an intermission that appropriately provided an opportunity to support the fundraiser by purchasing home baked sponge cake, beef patties, corn soup and refreshing Mauby.

Returning from the intermission, Sister Carla Fouche sang Betty Fender’s, “I Give You Jesus” with a commanding presence. Crossfire followed with a soul-stirring rendition of Richard Smallwood’s, “Total Praise” and finally - (as pictured) - a spell-binding rendition of George Frederic Handel’s, “Hallelujah Chorus.” The concert ended with a moving prayer by Minister Anthony Saunders, giving thanks for the expression of the talents of the youth in Crossfire, calling for their continued undergirding as they walk the narrow path of righteous living, that leads to joy, love and fulfillment.

The steelband/gospel concert at Premier Baptist Church was an idea conceived by the gifted young musician and arranger, Khuent Rose. In his dual role as musical director of Premier Baptist Church (PBC) and arranger of Crossfire Steel Orchestra he saw in a concert an opportunity for the two organizations to offer mutual support to each other. The Premier Baptist Church provided the venue, and Crossfire along with other artists offered inspiring music. The proceeds of the concert will be shared between Premier Baptist Church and Crossfire. What is remarkable and commendable in this successful effort is that Mr. Rose initiated a conversation between two groups that would otherwise never have conferred. It is this kind of collaboration that can focus and propel the interests of steel bands as institutions that afford youth creative and social outlets.

The following is a list of the players in Crossfire Steel Orchestra who performed at Premier Baptist Church. They are acknowledged for their extraordinary commitment and discipline, their love of music and generosity in sharing their talents. A special thank you is extended to Iman Pascall from Khuent Rose for taking on the task of playing drums on such short notice. With profound appreciation: Tenors- Sparkle Demming, Navarre Mason, Elizabeth McPherson; Double Tenors- Liddell Rose, Marlon Andrews; Double Seconds- Alicia Andrews; Guitar- Olivia Graham; Cello- Khuent Rose (Music Director); Bass- Jelani Williams, Tanika Phillips; Drummer- Iman Pascall; Congas- Aldwyn Barton.

Contact Khuent Rose at his Ning profile http://whensteeltalks.ning.com/profile/KhuentRose

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