Review: Chorale Dynamics’ ‘Why Do We Sing’
[Written by Dale Butler]
This was a learning and spiritual experience for me.
I grew up on Angle Street in a rich music environment which started in our home: gospel, spirituals, classical, jazz, soul and from September until January, the Hallelujah chorus. My family did its best to ensure we never missed a church concert, or overseas visiting performers, at A.M.E. churches and the Berkeley Institute.
It is only now, with a suitcase full of research, that I have seen the adverts of these 1960 and ‘70 events highlighting the music pedigree of The Chorale Dynamics. Clearly I missed out on this local group. I now realize that we were fortunate, as an island, and children, to be exposed to such a high quality of Bermuda/international talent.
On Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 6.00pm at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute’s Tradewinds Auditorium, I arrived with great expectations for this black tie event and received a baptism of fire for the world premiere of the documentary “Why Do We Sing.” It suddenly hit me that I had done very little research about gospel/spirituals or general church music in Bermuda, but read the American history of the highly respected and revered Marian Anderson, Jessye Norman, Leontyne Price, Kathleen Battle, and Mahalia Jackson, along with Paul Robeson, William Warfield, and Simon Estes.
I did know the connection to Bermuda of The Aeolians from Oakwood University and had their CDs and attended one of their local shows. Last weekend, I heard the Bermudian singers included in the “Joy to the World” play, which was outstanding.
I decided to attend the local documentary featuring the Chorale Dynamics, a singing group formed in 1984 by American pianist, singer, storyteller extraordinaire, and executive producer of the film, Gayle Newton-Taylor, who thought Bermuda was heaven when she arrived. Her vivid memories were captured by filmmaker Steve Darrell and it was produced by Dr. Ty-Ron Douglas and Sonia Howes.
Using historic footage, which often made us smile because of our aging, the now senior members had clear memories which they used with sub-themes throughout the film to perfect a symphony of events and issues that took place during their evolution and how their focus remained on Christ, learning to be upright citizens, and cementing friendships.
The Chorale Dynamics started in the living room of Michael and Gayle Newton-Taylor on Dunscombe Road. Having arrived on island in 1983 [after marrying Bermudian Michael Taylor, a talented musician in his own right] and surveying the music scene in the Adventist Church in Bermuda, Gayle saw an opportunity to introduce a new style of choral gospel music, drawing on what she had seen in the U.S and experienced at Oakwood College [now University]. She began recruiting families of voices from across the island, which included the Darrell sisters [Lee-Ann, Velinda, and Julene], the Simmons sisters [Sonia and Sharon], and members of the Wilson family.
Mr. Raymond Simons transported the group’s musical equipment for each concert. He was recognized during the premiere for his services and support, as was Edith Darrell, who was present and given the title “Mother of Chorale Dynamics,” and Larry Pitcher was honored posthumously for being an outstanding sponsor of the group. His son Marvin Pitcher accepted the acknowledgment on his behalf.
From the original core of group members emerged a surplus of enthusiastic singers and musicians. However, their style conflicted with the church template of spiritual music and performance, particularly because of the group’s use of drums. Group members spoke like diplomats when they talked about this issue, where a drummer, saxophonist, and guitar player were not accepted for church performance. Prior to the 80s and 90s, the church format consisted of acapella, quartets, piano, and organ. With an increasing number of USA churches taking the lead with those instruments, and:
- Atlanta-based Intersound Records introducing its spoken word series
- Richard Smallwood, Andre Crouch, and Milton Brunson
- Marvin Winans’ Detroit-based Perfecting Church
- the 1994 summer sizzler, Timothy Wright and The New York Fellowship Mass Choir
Heavyweight choir directors like Donnie McClurkin and the New York Restoration Choir; Rev. Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade and Rev. Albert Jamison and the Tri-Boro Mass Choir were being played on the radio by people like Bermuda radio gospel legend Kelly Zuill [Gospel Train, who was at the film opening], the question raised was “how do you navigate your music with strict rules.”
Somehow they found a way and succeeded. And this was a help for the Chorale Dynamics, who had witnessed The Warrenaires as forerunner, and “the man behind the voice” Warren Williams succeeded because of their strong faith in God who continued to be a blessing to the church, school, and music ministry. Those who spoke about this issue in the film impacted everyone in attendance because it was not widely known or talked about and probably forgotten. They could not perform at the Rosebank movie theatre or if they were pregnant or a single parent. They said they wanted to sing their testimony but the church was not happy about the use of sound tracks.
And, to almost close the lid, even clapping was not endorsed and they met pushback from a number of conservatives. As pianist Marvin Pitcher mentioned, “the transition was hard.” They were also strengthened with scriptures like Psalms 150: “Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes! Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals. Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!” [Psalms 150:4-6].
It was an era with the Poincianias, Apex Four, and Harmony 4, who paved the way locally before The Chorale Dynamics hit the scene. Murphy and Company of Memphis, Tennessee, led by Gale Jones-Murphy, served as a model for the music, sound, and style of the Chorale Dynamics. The groups collaborated in concert in Bermuda on three occasions. Jones-Murphy’s original music was used for the Chorale Dynamics CD, “Sing Praises,” in 1993.
It is interesting to note that not one speaker mentioned if anyone left the group because of the strictness of the church environment at that time. The group had created a safe space for themselves and their strong friendship enabled them to discuss what was on their mind. Their emphasis on the building of strong friendships, the music, and their faith kept them in the church. The on screen testimonies were impactful to the point that Dr. Kenneth Manders, President of the Bermuda Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist, in his closing remarks, issued an apology to anyone present who had been hurt by the policy of the day. A sigh of relief could almost be heard in the room. A noble, Christian, and mature thing to do.
On March 10, 1995, The Bermuda Times highlighted a significant accomplishment when they were invited to sing in Holland at the World General Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Held every five years, there were hundreds of applicants. This was a first for Bermuda and the news that it would be boomed to over 100,000 people worldwide, and they would be singing for the government of Holland at various civic functions while in Europe, was greeted with jubilation. With a track record of performing across denominations across the island, they had also produced their aforementioned album, “Sing Praises.”
The film will give you:
- the various institutions they performed at
- a 26-year romance
- a few special video appearances that enhance the production
I will stop here so that you can relax and have some surprises when you see it.
This inspirational film is a must see for Bermuda. The filmmaker and producer did showcase the choir’s impact on the community and their contribution to Bermudian gospel music. Their goal now is to secure the film in the archives of the Office of Regional the Conferences of SDA [located on the campus of Oakwood University].
This is commendable and should be done after adjusting a few interviews where the sound was not as robust, keep the titles up a little longer and sometimes put them back and cut music behind a number of speakers because it was distracting or too loud. Take note of the remarks: once those changes are considered, Bermuda needs to look at the internal programmes, mentorships, and guidance that all churches provide and ask church leaders to develop a national plan to save our country.
I have already asked the Minister of Culture to form a National Youth, Intermediate and Senior Male Voice Choir based on a comprehensive report [he has to do to make it happen]. The report would come from a committee he forms from church ministers, music directors, and musicians, highlighting the programmes they have that make youth feel important and valued, that can develop character, friendships and skills. We have more than enough trained and skilled musicians and choir directors to make it happen.
This film highlighted the origin, achievement, and challenges that The Chorale Dynamics encountered. It clearly showed the pride they felt as members and the positive impact it made in their development of friendships and beliefs. It highlighted “Why They Sing” – to glorify God, to motivate, inspire, celebrate, relate, enjoy, and demonstrate the love of God and to spread His word. To God be the glory for the things He has done. Give thanks.
- Dale Butler is the Professor of Bermuda Music and considers it an honour to have been invited to attend. His current research titles are Band Leader, Ernie Leader ,and the Queen of Calypso Celeste Robinson.
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