Arts & Entertainment

Differing directions

MCC music program adjusting to new leadership, styles

Published

14 years ago

April 5, 2012

WBadmin

Darius Smith, one of the new choir directors at MCC-DC. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

By MALI KRANTZ

The two Sunday morning services held each week at Metropolitan Community Church of Washington have always had slightly different styles, but the distinction has become more pronounced as each has its own choir director now.

In December, Shirli Hughes resigned from her position as minister of music there. After a decade of service at the District’s largest predominantly LGBT church, the lesbian music minister left big shoes to be filled in the church’s music department.

“She had a big job,” says Jeff Herrell who sang in her choir for about 10 years.

Hughes led both Sunday services at 9 and 11 a.m. as well as occasional performances for holidays and special events. She was also a full-time employee.

Her succession came in the form of two interim music ministers, Justin Ritchie, who leads the 9 a.m. Sunday service, and Darius Smith, who leads a more contemporary service at 11. They’ll both be on board for this Sunday’s Easter services, the highest holy day in Christendom. A Good Friday service is tonight at 7. Visit mccdc.com for details.

“It has worked out well to have two of us,” Ritchie says. “Because each service is very different and they play to each of our strengths … the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. service have always had their own personality.”

Ritchie, whose service is more traditional, came from the MCC choir. In addition to his musical success at MCC, he’s also a featured vocalist with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and a member its 14-person a cappella group, Potomac Fever.

Smith, a graduate of Howard University’s Music Department and New York University’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program is an assistant professor of musical theater at Howard. He has also written original music for a number of plays in the D.C. area including “U.G.L.Y.,” a new musical.

Smith’s service leans toward pop and contemporary styles.

“It’s interesting. It’s fun,” says Herrell of the new musical content.

Both Herrell and Ritchie estimate that the choruses have grown over the past few months.

“I think people are really receptive to Justin’s style of music … and new people want to be a part of Darius’ ministry,” Herrell says. “Yeah it’s cool. It’s different.”

While Rev. Dwayne Johnson, the church’s senior pastor, recognizes that Hughes brought an extraordinary talent to MCC’s music ministry, he’s enthusiastic about the church’s new direction.

“We have a long tradition of excellent music,” Johnson says. “And Justin and Darius are continuing that tradition. It’s an exciting time to see what gifts they have to bring to the table.”

While much of the music is changing, a few traditions remain such as having drums and bass accompany services. Each choir director does his own accompanying.

During the transition period after Hughes left, Acoustic Praise, a subgroup of MCC’s music ministry, stepped up to fill in while they looked for new staff members. Though the church has an organ, it’s rarely used.

“They’ve really worked hard during this transition filling in on Sundays,” says Tommie Adams, Herrell’s partner and an Acoustic Praise member. “It’s still a transitional period. Both people have great musical backgrounds and Darius brings kind of a youthful mood to music too, so it’s a nice variety.”

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Friday, November 14

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., NW. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website or email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Trade. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Women in their Twenties and Thirties will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for women living in the D.C. area. For more information join the group’s closed Facebook group.

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Daytime Docs and Dramas Screening of ‘Summer Qamp’” at 12:30 p.m. This free event will celebrate queer youth, resilience and the power of living authentically. To RSVP, visit this link.

Saturday, November 15

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 12 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is an outlet for people of color to come together and talk about anything that affects them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, November 16

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Salon” at 5 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Guests are encouraged to come enjoy stimulating conversation and dining. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, November 17

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

“Soulfully Queer: LGBTQ+ Emotional Health and Spirituality Drop-In” will be at 3:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This group will meet weekly for eight weeks, providing a series of drop-in sessions designed to offer a safe, welcoming space for open and respectful conversation. Each session invites participants to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and belonging at their own pace, whether they attend regularly or drop in occasionally. For more details visit the DC Center’s website.

Tuesday, November 18

Center Bi+ Roundtable Discussion will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is a is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. For more details, visit Facebook or Meetup.

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Tae Kwon Do class” at 12:30. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the Center’s website.

Wednesday, November 19

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

GoGay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Activism at Woman’s National Democratic Club” at 6 p.m. at The Whittemore House. Guests can join other activists at the WNDC for letter and postcard writing to get out the vote this fall in Virginia and other critical state races. Postcards will be written to women in rural VA and to members of Congress on Home Rule 101 in partnership with the D.C. Democrats Statehood Committee. There will be free pizza, cash bar, a fun raffle and camaraderie. More details are available on Eventbrite.

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The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.