In May 1994, Founder-Director Patrick P. Lundy realized his God-inspired vision to assemble a group of spirit-filled and anointed talents committed to spreading God's Word through song through founding The Ministers of Music. This group consists of some of the most outstanding vocalists and musicians in the Washington Metropolitan area, many of whom are choir members, choir directors or ministers of music in their home churches and/or ordained ministers of the gospel.
A "minister" is defined as a person serving as an agent for another carrying out specified orders or functions. Hence, the Choir was named The Ministers of Music to symbolize obedience to Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19-20, that we are all ministers by our acceptance of Him as Lord and that we must carry out the Great Commission to go and tell "The Good News" to all people.
This dynamic community choir made its official debut on November 12, 1994, to over 2500 persons at the Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Fort Washington, Maryland. Throughout its existence, the Choir has been blessed to have opportunities to share in the ministries of such nationally renown recording artists as Sis. Delores Barrett Campbell and the Barrett Sisters, Rev. Milton Biggham, Sis. Dorinda Clark Cole, Bro. Kirk Franklin and the Family, Sis. Jennifer Holliday, Bro. Donald Lawrence, Rev. John P. Kee & New Life Community Singers, Evang. Betty Griffin Keller, Bro. Donald Malloy, Sis. Dorothy Norwood, Sis. LaShun Pace, Sis. Albertina Walker, Rev. Wintley Phipps, Sis. Vicki Winans and the late Rev. Donald Vails.
On April 28, 1995, the Choir recorded its first album, "We Sing the Power" at the Refreshing Spring Church of God in Christ in Riverdale, Maryland. A second CD, titled “You Carried Me” was officially released in October 1998 and a third CD, “Standin’” was nationally released and distributed in September 2003 under Allen and Allen Music Group and has met extraordinary critical acclaim. As a result of the release of “Standin’”, Patrick Lundy and The Ministers of Music received 2004 Stellar Award nominations for Choir of The Year and Traditional Choir of The Year.
In addition to ministering in local churches, Choir appearances have included Black Entertainment Television's "Bobby Jones Gospel”, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Colors of Christmas Tour, featuring Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack, Melissa Manchester and Aaron Neville and for federal agencies including the U.S. Departments of Army, Education, Health & Human Services and State, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the International Broadcasting Bureau and the Small Business Administration. The Choir has also completed successful tours in Wilmington, Delaware, Atlanta, Thomasville and Waycross, Georgia, Miami, Florida, Chicago, Illinois, Trenton, New Jersey, Charlotte, North Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Further, the group received the honor of a preliminary ballot nomination for the 1996 Stellar Awards New Artist of the Year and was also nominated as New Artist of the Year by the African-American Religious Connection (AARC).
In June 1998, Patrick Lundy and The Ministers of Music were graced to represent the United States at the World’s Fair in Lisbon, Portugal, where the Choir ministered to thousands at a local Pentecostal Church and on the fairgrounds at the opening ceremonies as well as three other concerts, the last of which also featured Portuguese Christian Artist Sara Tavares and blues legend B.B. King.
In July 2000, the Choir also toured the Bahamas and, in November 2001, achieved the distinction of providing special music for the United States Senate Family Thanksgiving Celebration led by Senators Hatch, Lieberman, Lott and others. On February 14, 2002, representatives from the Choir appeared with Evangelist Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams and CeCe Winans at the White House Tribute to Black Gospel Music.
Founder-Director Patrick P. Lundy is a native of Thomasville, Georgia and a graduate of Howard University, who earned his degree in Music Business with a concentration in management and voice. A man of God who understands the importance and impact of a strong music ministry, Bro. Lundy is a composer, arranger and clinician throughout the country. He is also Music Director of the world-renowned Eastern High School Choir and Senior Associate Minister of Music of Reid Temple A.M.E. Church, Lanham, Maryland, with their award-winning Senior Minister of Music and gospel great Myrna Summers.
www.plundymom.com
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Neville Peter was born on November 17, 1972. He was born and raised on the beautiful island of St. Thomas. When he was about six months old, his parents noticed that he did not make eye contact with them anymore. He did not smile back when they smiled at him, nor did he respond to their faces peering at him over the rails of his crib. His parents wondered if there was something wrong with his vision, and they took him to the doctor. He was diagnosed with Glaucoma, which is a very painful disease that causes nerve damage in the eyes. At the time, not much could be done to stop the disease or to repair the damage already done. Neville cannot remember ever being able to see perfectly, but he is thankful to God that he had the privilege of some sight for the first 12 years of his life. About the age of five or six, he began to sing in church. During the congregational songs, he would sing as loud as he could. They say you could hear him above the organ and everyone else. He did it just for fun and because the older members seemed to enjoy his singing. However, his younger friends did not enjoy his singing that much and they began to tease him about it so he decided to tone it down, to sing softer or not sing at all. However, the older members began to ask him what happened? Why didn’t I hear you today? To which he would reply, I was singing bass.
At the age of fourteen, Neville began to study Piano. It was offered as an elective at his school. Two years later, he rediscovered his voice at a high school Christmas Concert. The audience gave him a standing ovation. Not long after, he began receiving invitations to sing at other concerts, church events and talent shows on the island. This led him to reconsider his career options. He began taking his music very seriously. By this time, most of his musical interests were geared toward Jazz, Pop, Reggae, and R&B. He began singing in many of the local nightclubs, but out of love and respect for his parents he still attended church and would sing there from time to time. At the age of 19, Neville left St. Thomas and moved to Miami. There he attended the University of Miami where he received his BA in Studio Music and Vocal Jazz. While there, he began performing on South Beach and other clubs in the Miami area. In 1994, he received an award from Down Beat Magazine for best National College Jazz Male Vocalist of the Year. Neville has toured with Cassandra Wilson and has worked with Gladys Knight. When Gladys heard a recording of him singing his original music, she said that he was destined for the Grammies. However, his career in secular music was cut short by God’s divine providence. He did not respond to God’s calling right away, but after God began closing all the doors of personal success, he decided to devote some of his talents to God. On January 1, 1998, at a New Years Eve party in Michael Cane’s restaurant, Neville decided that he had seen all the world had to offer and he did not find it appealing. He then resolved to give all of his talents to God withholding nothing. Therefore, he began writing and performing Christian Music. God has really blessed! He has opened for Richard Smallwood, Kurt Carr, and has been invited to open for Donnie Mcklurkin. He has written over forty Gospel songs. In June of 2002, the Caribbean Gospel Music Association nominated him for 6 Marlin awards. He won awards in the following categories: Best Jazz Recording for “The Sabbath Day” song, Best Male Contemporary Vocalist, and Best Artist.
www.nevillepeter.com
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Myrna Summers, affectionately known as the "Sweetheart of Gospel", has established hersef as one of gospel's most anointed and enduring artists. Her music is from the soul, scripturally based and delivered in a commanding, yet distinctive alto voice. Writing and performing enjoyable, impeccable gospel songs seem to come natural to the highly talented singer.
Myrna began her music ministry in the Washington Metropolitan Area at the Refreshing Spring Church of God in Christ. After some formal training at the Toutorsky Academy of Music, Myrna made a decision that would affect the direction her life would take. She decided to do more than just sing, she vowed to deliver a message to God's People.
Without question, Myrna's live presentations are considered "must witness" events. Her original compositions, classic congregational renditions and songs of praise and worship are energetic, spiritual and most importantly from the heart.
Myrna's first brush with gospel industry success came in 1970 with "God Gave Me a Song" which received an overwhelming response, resulting in her recognition as one of gospel's rising stars. This single gave Myrna her first Grammy Nomination and along with the recording from which it came, earned her Song and Album of the Year Awards from the Gospel Music Workshop of America. The recognition of her talent didn't stop there. Myrna was also the recipient of the prestigious Mahalia Jackson Award.
In 1979, Myrna was again nominated for a Grammy Award for her song titled "Give Me Something To Hold On To". In June 1988, Myrna's album "We Going To Make It", became one of her best selling recordings. This recording was full of energy, dedication and conviction earning Myrna several Stellar Award nominations and during that year, Myrna received the award for Best Traditional Gospel Artist (Female).
One of Myrna's most beloved arrangements, "Uncloudy Day", has become a perennial favorite.
Myrna's gifts and talents have resulted in national and international acclaim, awards and citations. In addition to serving in the music ministry at her home church, Refreshing Spring Church of God In Christ, Myrna has served at the Temple of Deliverance, Cathedral of Bountiful Blessings in Memphis Tennessee under COGIC Presiding Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson. She is currently Senior Minister of Music at the Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Lanham, Maryland, where Patrick Lundy serves as Senior Associate Minister of Music.
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