For the next three weeks, the Mt. Zion AME Church Male Voice Choir will be sharing in song with the community in three free open air concerts across the island, as a presentation of the Mt. Zion AME Church.

“It’s another branch of our evangelistic outreach,” explained Rev. Wilbur Lowe, pastor of Mt. Zion AME. “Anthony Roberts has been gung-ho to spread the Gospel across the island.”

Mr. Roberts has been a key organiser behind the events, which include concerts at Dockyard, Barr’s Bay Park and St. George’s.

According to Mr. Roberts, the goal of the free concerts is three-fold including providing quality family entertainment and spreading the Word of God in song. However, their most important focus is in encouraging men to become more involved in their families, the community and the church.

“We really want to reach the Bermuda male that doesn’t feel comfortable in the church,” Pastor Lowe shared.

The Mt. Zion AME Church Male Voice Choir is directed by Terry Henry, originally from Toronto, Canada. Mr. Henry has a long and diverse musical background, is a musician, arranger and songwriter, and was the co-founder of two choral groups, the Middlefield Collegiate Gospel Choir, and Expressions of Praise. His musical inspiration is found in southern and contemporary gospel, negro-spirituals, classical, traditional gospel, soul, blues and jazz. He is a graduate of the Humber College music programme, studied with Cuban pianist, Hilario Duvan, and is a past Juno nominee. He currently teaches music at Northlands Primary and Gilbert Institute.

Mr. Henry is assisted by Roger Butterfield, who is a senior vice president at the Bank of Butterfield.

Even the preparation for the concerts has brought about great growth in the men involved, explained Rev. Lowe: “I’m noticing with the choir preparing for the concerts is the coming together and the bonding of the men in the choir— I see a bonding that is helping men trust in each other and confide in each other.”

What can concert attendees expect?

“Traditional gospel, contemporary gospel and old favourites with a contemporary flavour,” explained Mr. Roberts, as well as favourites by local artists, The Apex Four.

“We’re very delighted to have them,” Mr. Roberts added.

The Apex Four, which consists of Eric Whitter, Robert Symonds and brothers, Harry and Gary Bean, have performing a capella music together for more than 30 years.

They initially joined forces in 1970 on a musical church tour in New York by Bethel AME. The group continues to be affiliated with Bethel AME and has performed at the 75th anniversary of Kiwanis in St. Louis, at the Bermuda Connections at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, at the Dr. Norman Vincent Peale Conference in 1999 and at Dame Lois Browne-Evans’ funeral.

The group have two albums to The group have two albums to their name, including the 1979 record, “Thank You, Lord” and the 2003 CD, “Speak Through Me.”

The concerts will be held on July 5 at the Clocktower in Dockyard, on July 12 at Barr’s Bay Park, Front Street, Hamilton, and on July 19 at Town Square, St. George’s. All concerts will begin at 7.30 p.m.

While the presentations are free, donations will be accepted to help off-set the costs of the concerts and towards a musical tour the two groups will be taking to Ohio in October.

The Mt. Zion AME Church Male Voice Choir, The Apex Four, Rev. Wilbur Lowe and the organisers of the event wish to express their thanks to the event sponsors, the Ministry of Community Affairs and Culture, the Bank of Butterfield, the Argus Group and the Ministry of Education and Sport, as well as the West End Development Corporation, the Corporation of Hamilton and the Corporation of St. George’s.