By Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor
Thousands of friends, family, public officials and admiring fans of the music ministry of composer and gospel artist Richard Smallwood filled First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Maryland for a spirited farewell to the “Maestro” on Jan. 24. Over two-and-a-half hours, the farewell celebration, filled with music, memories and messages of faith, flowed effortlessly, laced with classically inspired hymns and gospel hits composed by Smallwood.
A “Celebration Choir” consisting of Metropolitan Baptist Church, of Largo, Md., Union Temple Baptist Church, of Washington, D.C., and the Howard University Gospel Choir anchored musical selections offered throughout the service. They were led by members of the original Smallwood Singers, Vision, and other ensembles organized for recordings throughout his career.
The Rev. Dr. Maurice Watson of Arkansas, former pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, where Smallwood was a member, aptly eulogized the man many called “the Maestro,” noting Smallwood’s gift of fusing theology into the lyrics of his most classic songs.
“Richard was a unique musician and artist. He wrote music that made us think and cry at the same time. His music ushered us into the presence of God. Richard was not only a gifted musician, but he was a preacher-theologian,” Watson said, noting that Smallwood was a theologically trained minister, earning his master’s of divinity at Howard University in 2004.
Spoken reflections ranged from a stirring video-taped presentation by the Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks Jr., former pastor of Metropolitan from 1977 to 2015, where Smallwood directed the church’s Young Adult Choir, to the heartfelt tribute given by actress, Howard University graduate and life-long friend Phylicia Rashad, who reflected on the day Smallwood introduced The Howard University Gospel Choir to the university in 1970.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” Rashad said. At that time, Howard University’s curriculum, like many HBCUs prior to the 1970s, only included classical music.
“That choir was tight. Those harmonies were tight. Together. That’s a word that we can really attribute to him: Together,” she said with a smile, further noting Smallwood’s capacity to connect the campus and its surrounding community through gospel music.
The reflections turned from profound to playful as Maryland Gov. Wes Moore surprised the audience with his personal rendition of Smallwood’s “Center of My Joy.”
“In sadness, you are my laughter,” Moore quoted before breaking into song with the rest of the verse.
“…[T]hat shatters all my fears. When I’m alone, your hand is there to hold,” sang the politician-turned-tenor as First Lady Dawn Moore chuckled by his side and the audience erupted in a combination of laughter and applause.
Letters of condolence and commendation were also sent by former Presidents Barack Obama and William Clinton, U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and Wayne A.I. Frederick, interim president of Howard University, from which Smallwood received a lifetime achievement award in 2004.
Dottie Jones and Maurette Brown Clark, original members of the Richard Smallwood Singers, led versions of “I Love the Lord” (1976) and “Angels” (1996), their signature Smallwood songs during the service.
“I’ve been part of his musical legacy for 30 years and it’s been a beautiful journey,” said Brown Clark.
“It was hard for me to get here but I had to be here,” Jones told the AFRO. “I am grateful that he gave me ‘I Love the Lord’ to sing and so many other things that Richard did. He was my friend for life.”
Winston Chaney, host of Washington, D.C. ‘s WYCB Gospel Radio’s morning show and WHUR, Howard University Radio’s Sunday morning “Wake Up” program from 5-8 a.m., also counted Smallwood among his friends.
“Richard Smallwood was my friend, neighbor, composer, singer, and he did my morning show. I love this man,” he said.
Sherri Orr, a vocalist, songwriter and former director of the Hamline University gospel choir flew in from Minneapolis to attend the Smallwood funeral. “I was determined to be present to give homage to his artistry. He inspired me to start with the word of God as a musician. His musical focus is obvious and singular,” she said.
Stephen Hurd, a gospel singer, told the AFRO that he has known Richard Smallwood since attending the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. “He’s been a mentor and a friend who has impacted my entire life in music,” Hurd said.
The Rev. D. George E. Holmes, vice president of Global Initiatives of the TIS Foundation, which was pivotal in ensuring Smallwood received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award during President Joe Biden’s administration in 2023, expounded on why he felt the accolade was necessary.
“It is critical that our governmental leadership connect with the power and promise provided by our faith community,: he said. “Richard Smallwood’s worldwide reach needed to be known and connected with federal government.”
Smallwood died Dec. 30 at age 77 due to complications from kidney failure in Sandy Springs, Md. Born in Atlanta, Ga., and raised in Southeast Washington, Smallwood’s songs were performed by community choirs, college ensembles, and on the world’s finest stages. In addition to his influence in the global faith community, Smallwood’s work was performed by artists such as Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Destiny’s Child, and Boys II Men. Smallwood received eight Grammy nominations and won one for his production and performance work on “Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration;” won three Dove Awards and seven Stellar Awards.