When Joslyn Williams was growing up in Antigua, she learned how to play a makeshift piano made from cardboard and clothes pins. It was an unorthodox start to music but one that struck a chord deep inside her heart.
“My parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Davis, now deceased, saw my gift,” Williams said. “This was a ritual every night in our home, where I played and my parents sang. This gave them the impetus for me to start piano lessons. I started to learn the piano at age 10, and at 14 I started playing the organ for Sunday services. I have been using this God-given talent of music for the Lord (for) over 50 years. Thank you, God!”
Years of practice have helped Williams become an award-winning musician, and then some. Now the director of music, organist and parish administrator at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Haines City, she recently received word that her application for membership in The Guild of Musicians and Singers was granted at the level of Fellow. Williams will be presented a certificate in a formal ceremony in England at All Hallows-by-the-Tower, which is situated close to the Tower of London, at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 28.
Founded in 1993, The Guild is a learning society consisting of more than 400 members, including several prominent musicians among its honorary fellows, according to https://www.musiciansandsingers.org.uk on the internet.
“The Guild of Church Musicians is a charity to help encourage high standards in church music,” Williams said. “It offers members examinations, courses and awards. The guild is a fellowship of those who sincerely desire to offer the best in music to the service of the church. The guild is considered one of the top organizations in England, and is relative to the American Guild of Organists in the United States.”
This marked the first time that Williams made application to the guild, and it proved to be an easy process based on her prestigious background. A recipient of the Queen’s Honours (MBE), director of music/organist for more than 50 years, Dean of the American Guild of Organists for the Antigua Chapter, and having earned a Bachelor of Science from Hartford University, Williams was approved at the highest level of membership: Fellow.
“When I had received the email indicated that the council had met, and was very pleased to accept me as a member of the highest level – a Fellow – I jumped for joy. I thanked God,” she said. “I forwarded the communication to my relatives and friends to celebrate this great achievement.”
Williams’ love for music has afforded her much opportunity in many places. She served as music director/organist at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Antigua for more than 30 years. While a member of the Provincial Board for the Anglican Church in Antigua, she served on the compilation committee for implementing and completing a New Provincial Hymnal for the Anglican Church of the Province of the West Indies. She wrote a hymn for the New Hymnal-CPWI Hymnal.
After relocating to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2004, she served as director of music and organist at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. She also served as an organist for evening services at the Episcopal Church Nazareth by the Sea, and directed a 60-voice choir at the Cathedral Church of All Saints on St. Thomas.
Williams also was presented the Congressional Award for contribution to music while living on St. Thomas. And, she even has been honored at her current church. In 2015, the congregation of St. Mark’s honored her with a proclamation, declaring the first Sunday of Advent of each year, Joslyn M. Williams Day.
“Music has been my life, and sharing my talent has brought inspiration and joy to many, either at Sunday services, concerts, baptisms, weddings (or) funerals,” she said.
Williams said she and her husband will meet family members and friends in April and attend the special ceremony in London. “I ask for the prayers of the church as I embark on my new journey of God’s love and grace, and my unselfish sharing of church music in serving the people of God and his church,” Williams said.