Music in the Ville


The Sounds of Music were extraordinarily beautiful in the historic Ville Neighborhood’s Antioch Baptist Church where a reunion celebration was held. The Church and Neighborhood where the Dred Scott fourth generation descendants grew up and worshipped commemorated the anniversary in a moving way, and in a gifted way.

Music kept the slaves going when times were hard. The attendees of the reunion grew up on Negro spirituals and classical music. “What better way to celebrate the “homestead” than to sing of the history and showcase the talent that made previous memories of our youth and the last few decades not only memorable but historical”, said Lynne M. Jackson, descendant of Dred and Harriet Scott. “I remember the excellence that was required in all our musical endeavors. It was so rewarding. Besides, we may never get a chance to sing or play together like this again.” This was the best way she knew to involve the most relevant areas of the Ville. Jackson announced the passing of her father, Dr. John A. Madison, Jr. this week to a gasping audience and said, ”He would want us to be here today.”

The reunion included past members of the Antioch Cherub and Angelus Choir, Sumner High School A’ Cappella Choir, The Legend Singers, and the Alleda Ward Wells Piano Studio. All four entities existed in a two block area and produced some of the most excellent musicians to come from St. Louis.

Carlotta Algee- Stancil, lifelong member of Antioch, did an excellent job of coordinating the event with several church musicians, including James “Sonny” Ward, the current Minister of Music at the church.

Harry Moppins introduced the Mistress of Ceremonies, Lillian Foster Curlett. Past youth choir director, Minerva Bennett Williams and her daughter Laurene Bennett Mackel came from New York to participate. Laurene and her daughter did a moving praise dance rendition that set the tone for worship. Lynne Jackson addressed the audience on behalf of The Dred Scott Heritage Foundation. James Webb, Malachi Owens, and Carole Kimble took turns directing the chorus. Soloist Rowena Jones performed and Cheryl Walker Accompanied on an Antioch classic, There Is A Balm in Gilead.

Kenneth Brown Billups, past Director of the Antioch Baptist Church Chancel Choir, Founder of the famous and most excellent Legend Singers and Alleda Ward Wells, piano teacher extraordinaire and most beloved by ALL her students, famous for her Eight Piano Festivals (16 pianists) have both passed on. They were fondly remembered for their lifelong achievements without whom most of the reunion participants would not be there that day. Chuck Berry was a member of the Cherub and Angelus singers and was also recognized, though unable to attend.

Having more fun than they should, most of the blended chorus thought they had sung their swansong, Everytime I Feel the Spirit, at the direction of Ms. Kimble. But alas, there was one song yet to sing. In fact, a song, most of them had never heard of before. The director somehow knew this. But being the superior musicians they were, and without the singers having any sheet music, the director had the pianist play the melody once while, with his back turned to the audience, mouthed the words. Each musician watched attentively. On the down beat, everyone sang by ear, as it were. The audience didn’t have a clue. What an amazing ending to an all too brief encounter of old friends, great musicians, devoted worshipers and then 150th Dred Scott Anniversary tribute, Music in the Ville.

The Ville, an area just north of downtown St. Louis, was one of the few areas where Blacks could own property. Consequently, during the 1920’s and 30’s, The Ville became synonymous with Black prosperity. Well know natives and Sumnerites include Tina Turner, Arthur Ashe, Robert Guillaume, Robert McFerrin, Grace Bumbry and Dick Gregory