Swept away with passion Musicians praised the Lord as they raised funds to build a school in Haiti

To the Editor:

Our benefit concert for kids in Haiti raised $7,000. Instead of collecting for a room “one brick at a time,” they now can have a whole school!

On Sept. 14, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Delmar hosted “A Heart For Haiti” concert.

The church packed, Father Adam Egan gave a warm welcome. Elder Chris Allen of Westerlo opened with a prayer.

I stepped up to get the anxious crowded audience revved up!

Seated at the grand pipe organ with 25 musicians and instruments I played “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ name.” The roof was raised with throngs singing and trumpet, saxophone, keyboard, violins, guitar, accordions and a loaded platform of 25.

The program progressed with each singer and musician topping the other. The audience was clapping, jumping, and shouting with joy as the Gospel Choir took over. Pastor Pierre from Haiti even did a dance with native drums and the girls sang and danced in the audience.

A hush fell over the crowd when Alice Parker sang “Behold the Man” as I played accompaniment on the piano. If that wasn’t enough, as Alice sang Justin Grant recited the words with great emotion, his arms raised as he expressed praise.

Then the Gospel Tabernacle Singers took the house down with their 10-year-old son on drums praising God. Every tissue was used.

With Jonathan on trumpet I played “Trumpet Voluntary” by Purcell.

The Squeeze Play Accordion Band did “Railway to Heaven,” polkas, and “You're a Grand Old Flag.”

The audience was wild as people saw all performers were having fun and rally liked each other. None of the performers go to St. Stephen’s Church and some at the concert met for the first time to play together.

At the end, when Father Adam called me from from the organ, he announced $3,500 was collected but then someone doubled it to $7,000.

Cheering and crying, the band, singers, myself, and now John Gallagher marched up with bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace.” Music swelled, and the pipe organ opened to a range that forced people to stand as bagpipes stood up front playing and singers their hands raised to heaven.

A standing ovation lasted 10 minutes. This was a grand production for a much needed cause.

Walter Jones

Selkirk

Editor’s note: Walter “Wally” Jones was the producer and director of the Heart of Haiti concert which took six months to organize.

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