PHOTO PROVIDED BY GUILD OF MUSICIANS AND SINGERS
Joslyn William of St. Mark’s Episcopal, Haines City, is received as a Fellow in the Guild of Musicians and Singers in April in London.

The Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wasn’t the only historical event this spring in England. Davenport’s Joslyn Williams can testify to that.

The director of music, organist and parish administrator at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Haines City on April 28 was inducted into The Guild of Musicians and Singers at the level of Fellow in a formal ceremony at All Hallows-by-the-Tower Church, which is situated close to the Tower of London. 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.

But what made the induction historic was that Williams was the first black person to be awarded a Fellowship of the Guild of Musicians, and first from the U.S. Nineteen individuals received their fellowship: 16 men and three women.

“The ceremony was phenomenal,” said Williams. “This was a historical moment for me and also for the Guild. Everyone was ever so happy to welcome me. The initials FGMS (Fellow Guild of Musicians and Singers) have been added to my name. I was received gracefully with all the respect being the only recipient from the United States, and also having the prestigious honor from Queen Elizabeth, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.”

Williams said the event was a prestigious moment for church musicians and others as people from as far away as Australia attended. The event commenced with a procession of the officers of the Guild, followed by prayers and an address on Handel’s “Messiah.”

Names were called in alphabetical order, and a biography of each person was read in the packed church. “The Guild was very excited that I had traveled from North America to accept my Fellowship,” Williams said. “The mention of my honors from the Queen of England as a Member of the British Empire (MBE), which was received while in lived on the island of Antigua, received thunderous applause. The Congressional Award received for contribution to music while I lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands was received with enthusiasm, and my walk from my seat to collect my diploma was ‘on air.’”

Additionally, greetings were announced publicly to be extended for St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Haines City, and the Diocese of Central Florida, Williams said. “My task on my return to the United States is to assist in connecting church music organizations, choirs and other musical groups to engage in exchange events by having concerts and recitals, etc.,” she said. “The event was indeed historical for me.”

Williams began her trek to history while growing up in Antigua, where 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 helped Williams become an award-winning musician, and then some.

“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.