Audley Davidson: 25 years at the organ at St Andrew Parish Church

When the extraordinarily talented organist and choir director Audley Davidson walks into the sanctuary and sits at the pipe organ console at the St Andrew Parish Church, his commanding presence is pretty hard to miss. His persona looms large across the manuals and the pedals of this most euphonic and versatile 1977 J W Walker & Sons instrument. Choral church music is his happy space.

Against a backdrop of the sun’s rays piercing through the colourful stained glass windows behind the altar at this historic church in the middle of Half-Way Tree, Davidson, for a quarter century, has been infusing the congregation with an astonishing range of music that brings renewed solace, comfort and joy to the mind, the spirit and the soul of worshippers. The music experience there is mystical, with a cluster of Jamaican luminaries like the late, great Bishop Percival Gibson and former Governor General Sir Clifford Campbell buried only a few feet away from the organ. Through good and bad times, music has always been an integral part of worship. During the pandemic years, a vibrant musical engagement continued at St Andrew with online worship that continues to attract followers from all over the world.

So, what keeps Davidson, a son of Orange District in St James, rocking day after day, year after year?

“At the heart of my efforts is a deep and abiding passion for the music,” Davidson revealed. “Church music, especially in the Anglican tradition, is rich, layered, and spiritually moving. It is more than just notes and harmonies. It’s a form of worship, a way to elevate the liturgy and connect the congregation to something greater.”

He pointed out that, just as the clergy spends a great deal of time thoughtfully preparing sermons, the music director also carefully plans upcoming selections to suit each occasion.

“I spend time curating musical selections that complement the themes of each service. This process is guided not only by musical knowledge but by inspiration and discernment. The goal is always to offer music that uplifts, challenges, and comforts, music that speaks to the soul,” the maestro explained.

In today’s traditional churches, older members tend to cling to ancient and traditional hymns while younger folks eagerly embrace indigenous forms of worship music that utilise elements of soca, reggae and dancehall. One of the ongoing challenges churches face is finding a magical balance between both genres. A number of modern Caribbean composers like Noel Dexter, Barry Chevannes, Clyde Hoyte, Father HoLung, Patrick Prescod and Ernie Smith have significantly increased the inventory of contemporary church music. How does the organist view this transformation in the context of St Andrew Parish Church and, indeed, in the wider church community across Jamaica.

“I don’t believe ancient hymns will disappear,” he opined. “They have sustained the church for centuries and continue to hold deep spiritual and emotional significance, especially for our senior congregants and lifelong churchgoers. These hymns are woven into the fabric of Anglican worship, connected to family histories, and serve as a powerful link to our theological heritage.”

Davidson, a licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music and the holder of a diploma from the ABRSM, added, “We are also witnessing a growing embrace of indigenous compositions that reflect the cultural identity and the lived experiences of Caribbean people. These newer works bring a sparkling freshness and a pointed relevance to worship, especially for younger generations. I foresee a happy co-existence where they live side by side, each enriching the act of worship in its own way.”

Davidson, who also directs the Kingston College Chapel Choir and the Diocesan Festival Choir, paid glowing tributes to new generations of composers who have continued to fertilise the landscape of contemporary church music. Among them, Dr Andrew Marshall, Mapletoft Poulle, Eric Levy, Beryl Donaldson, Paulette Bellamy and Joy Simons Brown.

Even with a back-breaking work schedule that includes weddings, funerals and special events, Davidson still finds time to compose and arrange church music. His much acclaimed arrangement of Peter Tosh’s Jah is my Keepa is included in the CPWI (Caribbean Province of the West Indies) hymnal, the standard song book that is used across Anglican churches in the Caribbean. The work is based on Psalm 27 and, in 2019, it was used at the installation of the Jamaica-born Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson Wilkin at Canterbury Cathedral in the UK to thunderous raves and incessant chanting of “Jah Jah” long after the cathedral performance.

“Beyond Jah is My Keepa, I’ve composed and arranged other works for liturgical use, including settings of the Lord’s Prayer, descants, Amens, and Psalm arrangements. These pieces are often written specifically for the choirs I lead, tailored to their vocal strengths and the context of the worship service. Much like the late Dr Olive Lewin, whose music was composed specifically for the Jamaican Folk Singers, my compositions are crafted with a particular ensemble and moment in mind,” he said.

Looking back on the last 25 years at St. Andrew, Davidson stated that he has found great joy over the years with working with various choirs. He said COVID reduced the choir size but he particularly enjoys the current small but very cohesive and deeply committed group. “There’s a strong sense of camaraderie among us, and I value the trust they place in my leadership. We laugh, we learn, we scowl, and we grow together, week after week, season after season.”

He delights in every moment of his fascinating musical journey that began at Sudbury Baptist Church in rural St James and was later affirmed at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Montego Bay, long before he made the trek to Kingston. He credits two early teachers in St. James for inspiring his love for music - Mrs. Ivy Cummings and Mrs. Clara Hamilton. A recent career highlight for him was being invited to curate the music for a commemorative Windrush church service in Wales where he served up a remarkable feast of Caribbean compositions.

“I continue to greatly enjoy curating a worship experience that is inclusive, meaningful, and spiritually nourishing for all,” Davidson disclosed.

New York-based writer Dave Rodney is the creator of the Facebook page ‘Church Music from Around the World’.entertainment@gleanerjm.com