The Music Never Ends

“They say that breaking up is hard to do,

Now I know, I know that it’s true.

Don’t say that this is the end,

Instead of breaking up….”

Neil Sedaka wasn’t talking about the leave-taking of a Music Minister, but instead of the breakup of a love relationship. Wait…isn’t that what this is about anyway? We learned the other week that Minister Wayne Robinson is leaving The First Cathedral, where he has served as Music Minister since April 1, 2006. Now he’s breaking up with us. Women in the choir are weeping at the thought. What’s the cause of all the turmoil, the emotional outpouring, the shock?

One thing that is evident is that Wayne Robinson has been an extraordinary blessing to the ministry of The First Cathedral. In order to find out precisely what is behind all this turmoil, I surveyed a few of the faithful. Janine Scott, who “joined the choir at a turning point” in her life said she is “nothing but thankful for the opportunity to have worked with such a Prince.” Ester Delmonte loves that “his mom meant us much to him as my mom does to me.” He has blessed Shelby Bradford, “because of his kind spirit. He is very touchable and real” and “his kindness permeates the room.” From Dionne Welch, “what I witnessed was that he always seemed to handle his load with grace.”

Here is a man graced with a special spirit. He would enter the Chapel with a flourish, holding promises of another lively rehearsal full of mirth, extraordinary music, prayer, love, instruction (and correction); and a visit from the Lord was imminent on every Thursday. Rare was the evening that didn’t include at least one praise break, at least one testimony.

There has been a breakthrough at The First Cathedral, and a major contributor to that breakthrough is Wayne Robinson. In October of 2008 (October 31 to be precise), the Praises of Zion gathered together in the sanctuary to record, live. Traditionally known as Halloween, this night was turned into a night in which we were able to stomp on the devil instead. It was a long haul, but “I Believe,” the freshly-minted recording, was released on February 28, 2010, to terrific reviews. Of course, we all know whose hand was in the mix – one Wayne Robinson. Songs such as “Your Grace,” “In Your Will,” “All of the Glory,” and the title track, “I Believe,” among others, came from the pen of our beloved Minister of Music.

There is so much more to be said. He is the consummate teacher; so many have learned so much at his hand. As trumpeter Robert Alvaranga noted, he leads and directs with panache. A multi-instrumentalist, he is also proficient in a variety of styles. Listening as he plays the piano, you can hear influences from the worlds of jazz, rhythm & blues, classical, rock all tied in with traditional gospel, spirituals and contemporary Christian. We may not have recognized them, but it’s a good guess that some folk, zydeco, country and jug-band music made its way into the POZ repertoire as well.

James Ingram intoned, once:

“How do we keep the music playing?

How do you make it last?”

Wayne Robinson has nothing to apologize for, nothing to concern himself with as he leaves The First Cathedral – gone, but not forgotten; away, but never really gone; out of sight but never out of mind; forever a part of the ministry and the lives of all those who he has touched, in so many ways.

To wit, Janine Scott said he has “poured so much into my life and family, it’s crazy. He taught my son, Aaron, to play the piano; and not only that, he instilled confidence and a sense of pride in him that he didn’t get anywhere else.” “He cares about each and every member (of POZ) and will drop a line, make a call or just say the right thing when one of us is hurting,” said Antoria Howard. Angela Griffin, while extolling his musical and teaching prowess, pointed out that he “ministers to the choir members during rehearsals, is a strong advocate for youth leaders in praise and worship.” From Jasmine Jackson, “he gave me the motivation and opportunity to sing…gave me gold nuggets of advice that I will continue to use.” Markeyse Hill – “he’s been a father to me. He’s very kind, leads you down the right road and is there to guide you back when you head in the wrong direction.”

Our outgoing Minister of Music is a praying, God-fearing man. He reveres what was inculcated in him as he grew up – to praise and worship God, to honor Him in his actions, his words and his thoughts. His teaching is unparalleled. For this writer, I found that what I thought I knew about praise and worship was very little. He truly turned me from a loud singer to a vibrant praiser. I knew why to praise God, but knowing how to do so is something he gave me through instruction.

How to thank such a man? Here’s what some others have had to say about Wayne.

Druscilla Williams: “You taught us how to breathe properly; now, as a result of learning that, I no longer need an inhaler.”

From Dionne Welch, “He never spoon-fed me when I felt inadequate; instead he encouraged me to “give myself away so that God could use me. Whenever I sing, that’s what I do.”

Barbara Ward offered that Wayne’s “enthusiasm for the Lord’s work, whether in music or in general, was absolute infectious and inspiring.”

Regina Moye: “I have learned more from him vocally – more than he will ever realize.”

Talonie Daniels: “Min. Robinson’s gift, integrity and leadership have taken my gift and that of the Praises of Zion and the music ministry to the next level.”

Michael Walton said “it’s been a pleasure working with Min. Wayne. His style has been refreshing in that he brought ‘old school’ music out with a twist on it to enhance the services.” Vanessa Walton added, “My confidence level has increased greatly because of his subtle encouragement, pushing me forward in the gifts God gave me.”

Berlyn Trusty offered, “We both found that we knew some of the same people from Gospel Music Workshop of America, and I’m grateful and honored to have been asked to help with Praise & Worship on Saturdays.”

Keith Simmons, bassist – “coming from a Jamaican church, I was unfamiliar with the style of traditional and contemporary Gospel music; in light of that, Min. Wayne has been patient with me, and I have learned a lot.”

The Doors’ ominous words were:

“This is the end, beautiful friend;

This is the end, my only friend, the end

Of our elaborate plans, the end…”

‘Nuf said? I don’t think so. Min. Peter Thomas left us with an anecdote the other day. Apparently, there was a day when Wayne was leaving the Cathedral and the door didn’t close properly when he left, something that Min. Thomas brought to his attention. His response? – “Well, close it, Preacher. And do me a favor, please – pick up this scripture later – 1Thessalonians 4:11-12, which reads as follows: Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” It’s clear that having a sense of humor will take a person far in this life.

Friendly’s has what they call a “Happy Ending” sundae. We are anticipating a happy ending here as well. The First Cathedral and all its ministries have been enhanced by the presence of this humble servant, who thought it not robbery to take from numerous musical genres and bring the Praises of Zion to yet another level. Rather than be ensconced, immovable, from that level, it is abundantly clear that we are on an ascending scale, ready to reach even higher heights.

Once again, as James Ingram so eloquently sang,

“If we can try with every day

To make it better as it grows,

With any luck, then I suppose,

The music never ends.”