Article published April 21, 2010 The Blade
Toledoan to lead national gospel music association
By DAVID YONKE
BLADE RELIGION EDITOR
The Rev. Derrick E. Roberts, newly elected chairman of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, envisions Toledo as the “home base” of gospel music in the years ahead.
A retired Toledo Public Schools administrator and director of the Toledo Interfaith Mass Choir, Mr. Roberts will be consecrated and installed as chairman of the board of the national gospel organization tonight at Indiana Avenue Baptist Church.
He will become the first Toledoan to serve as chairman of the NCGCC, which was founded in 1933 by legendary songwriter and choir director Thomas A. Dorsey, widely known as “the Father of Gospel Music.”
“It’s a tremendous opportunity because Toledo isn’t always nationally recognized for positive things,” Mr. Roberts said. “This is the most prestigious gospel group and the original foundation of gospel music, and it brings a foundation to Toledo because we will now be the home base to help gospel music go to the next dimension.”
The NCGCC, which represents 43 chapters of gospel choirs and choruses with thousands of members in 20 states, promotes musical training and family participation as well as the nurturing of gospel singers, musicians, and directors.
Mr. Roberts, 58, has been involved with the national organization since it held its annual convention in Toledo in 1989. He founded and directed the 600-voice Toledo Mass Choir for the convention and has been a vice president of and convention planner for the national group.
He also founded the nationally known Toledo Interfaith Mass Choir, a 125-voice choir that started in 2002 for the city’s Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration.
The office of chairman of the board of the NCGCC is a permanent appointment, with honoraria awarded for travel and expenses but no salary, Mr. Roberts said.
The national body has been a model of stability over its 77-year history, with just two presidents serving during that time: the founder, Mr. Dorsey, who died at age 96 in 1993, and its current president, Bishop Kenneth Moales of Bridgeport, Conn., who will preside at tonight’s installation service.
As chairman, Mr. Roberts said he wants to use his training in music and administration to pro-mote the NCGCC nationally and internationally.
“Prayerfully, that is my goal: to inspire and empower, and to create a new image. We’re proud of our past, and we’re excited about our future.”
He also seeks to make the NCGCC a household word, as recognizable as the NAACP.
Mr. Roberts, who is married and the father of two children, started playing piano at age 9. He studied at Bowling Green State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in music - majoring in vocal training and minoring in piano - and the University of Toledo, where he received a master’s degree in supervision and administration.
He served as music director and choir director at several Toledo churches, including Indiana Avenue Baptist where his father, the Rev. John E. Roberts, has been pastor for 45 years.
“I like to bring the black experience, the African-American experience, to the music,” he said. “I just like to give it a twist, to do beautiful music and at the same time inspire people to think more about God.”
An artist with a flair for style - one of his hobbies is interior decorating - Mr. Roberts said church and gospel music had always been secondary to his role as an educator during his 31 1/2 years with TPS. He taught music, supervised teaching interns, and, for 16 1/2 years, was principal of Elmhurst Elementary School.
Geri Scrutchins, who has been singing with the choir since its founding in 1989 and is choir secretary, said Mr. Roberts is a perfectionist who demands a lot from his singers.
“But if you just listen and follow him, he knows the direction he’s going in. He’s a perfectionist, but he’s also very spiritual and very dedicated to what he does. Sometimes I don’t think he even realizes the anointing that the Lord has blessed him with.”
Contact David Yonke at:
dyonke@theblade.com
or 419-724-6154.
Article published April 24, 2010 The Blade
Gospel celebration at Toledo’s Indiana Avenue Baptist Church
The Rev. Derrick E. Roberts claps as he watches one of the gospel music choirs performing during his consecration and installation service to the office of chairman of the board of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses. The service and celebration were held Wednesday night at Toledo’s Indiana Avenue Baptist Church, where Mr. Roberts’ father, the Rev. John E. Roberts, is pastor, during the NCGCC’s national board meeting.
Minister Derrick Roberts installed as National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses chairman
By: Jurry Taalib-Deen
The Toledo Journal
Originally posted 4/30/2010
A couple of hundred people packed the sanctuary of Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 21, to witness a historical event. Minister Derrick E. Roberts became the first person in the history of Toledo to be appointed as chairman of the board of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.
The event was so monumental that the president of city council, Wilma Brown, attended and proclamations were sent from the offices of U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Sen. George Voinovich, state Rep. Edna Brown, Mayor Mike Bell, Toledo Federation of Teachers President Francine Lawrence, the Ohio Attorney General’s office and Toledo City Council.
”This is really a big occasion for Toledo because we’ve never had an officer on the board,” stated Cerssandra McPherson, executive board member of the Toledo Interfaith Mass Choir.
Jelise Roberts, daughter of Minister Roberts, upon giving the welcome to those in attendance, began to cry as she spoke of her father’s accomplishments as well as those of her grandfather, Rev. Dr. John E. Roberts.
”Tonight, I celebrate the God in you,” Jelise Roberts said to her grandfather, about providing the environment for her and her father.
Although the evening was about the installation of Minister Roberts, before he was given the charge of the position, he took time to honor a very influential person in his life, Corene Robinson, by presenting her flowers and then doing what he does best – directing the Toledo Interfaith Mass Choir and dedicating the selections to Sister Robinson.
When it came time to formally install Minister Roberts, Bishop Kenneth Moales, president of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, conducted the ceremony.
As Bishop Moales gave the charge, Minister Roberts humbly kneeled in front of the altar while local ministers surrounded him and placed their hands on him to pray with and for Minister Roberts’ success.
Afterward, he stood before the congregation and formally greeted the officers and delegates of the prestigious organization.
”I thank my family, friends and my enemies, who strengthened me,” expressed Minister Roberts to the congregation.
”I am a servant to God but I promise you I will give more in service to Him,” he continued.
Bishop Moales said that Minister Roberts brings to the organization a great deal of experience and administrative skills, all of which will help the organization.
In addition, one of Minister Roberts’ duties includes executing the operational programs in the convention.
”I want to make the organization a household name,” stated Minister Roberts.
His father, Dr. Roberts, stated that he was happy for his son and appreciates the work he has done through the years.
