By Josie Jones
In celebration of Black History Month, the Beloved Community of First Baptist Church of Kansas City, 100 W Red Bridge Rd., is holding two concerts.
The first concert will take place on February 16 at 1 p.m., featuring Marvin Byas, and the other concert is scheduled for February 23 at 3 p.m., showcasing the A-Flat Youth Orchestra.
Reverend Dr. Stephen Jones, who began his pastoral journey with the congregation in 2013, says the church makes it a priority to celebrate Black History month each year. However, this is the first year that they have been able to offer two special concerts.
“Anybody that comes to either concert will be inspired and find it to be the highlight of their Black history month,” Jones said.
Marvin Byas and his group will perform, “Deep River: the Art of the Negro Spirtual,” which is a profound exploration of African American spirituals. He performed for them last summer and was invited back by popular demand, this time bringing the rest of his musical group. Jones emphasizes the impact of Byas performance, “It’ll open everybody’s perspective on the contributions in African-American spirituals,” Jones states.
The A-Flat Youth Orchestra, led by Darryl Chamberlain, provides a way for the urban youth to be able to get music opportunities using refurbished instruments.
Chamberlain was concerned that band and orchestra programs were being cut in school programs, so he started buying old instruments, giving them new life, and placing them in the hands of the new generation to learn and grow in a music community. Jones notes the importance of learning music at a young age, “A lot of kids at these ages need something to really put their heart and soul into, and often it’s sports, but for a lot of kids, it’s music.”
Now it has become a full orchestra ensemble. They will be presenting music from the African-American instrumental canon, with a special showcase of the Third movement of William Grants Still’s “Afro-American Symphony #1.”
The group has played for the congregation before, and they are overjoyed for their return. Jones highlights the influence of this ensemble by saying, “Darryl is a great storyteller, and just the story of how it came to be, a group of kids that would really never have an opportunity to pick up an instrument before and play it.”
These concerts are free for the general public. There will be a place for voluntary donations to show support.
Jones highlights the influence of this ensemble by saying, “Darryl is a great storyteller, and just the story of how it came to be, a group of kids that would really never have an opportunity to pick up an instrument before and play it.”
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