[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 68 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                SALUTE TO JOYCE ERLINDA GAMBRELL DRAYTON

                                 ______


                        HON. THOMAS M. FOGLIETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 1994

  Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Joyce Erlinda Gambrell 
Drayton, who this weekend will be honored by the Baptist Ministers 
Conferences and Associations, in conjunction with the Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Mass Choir for her stellar service as a church musician in 
the Philadelphia church community. This service will be convened by the 
Reverend Anthony Floyd at the Hickman Temple AME Church on Baltimore 
Avenue in Philadelphia where Rev. Joseph Patterson is pastor.
  Mrs. Drayton's musical career was born at the age of 9 when she 
studied piano under the late Vernon White, and organ under the late 
Helen Gatling. At the age of 10, Joyce joined the Sunday school choir 
at the Nazarene Baptist Church, under the direction of her mother, 
Georgia Gregory. Her musical studies continued, learning the violin and 
bass fiddle, as well as receiving a scholarship to the settlement music 
camp where she studied piano and bass with members of the Philadelphia 
Orchestra. While attending the Kensington High School for Girls, Joyce 
accompanied the Kensington High School concert choir under the 
direction of William Felton, and was a member of the All City 
Orchestra. While attending Cheyney State College, now Cheyney 
University, she accompanied the concert choir under the direction of D. 
Jack Moses.
  Mrs. Drayton received an A.B.S. in elementary education from Cheyney, 
and a masters degree in social work at Temple University, where she was 
vice president of her class. Additionally, she has furthered her 
musical studies in organ under Dr. J. Edward Hoy and Rosemarie Coleman 
of the Combs College of Music.
  Mrs. Drayton's 36 years of church music service reads like an 
encyclopedia of Philadelphia religious institutions, having served Ward 
AME Church, Second Macedonia Baptist Church, First Corinthian Baptist 
Church, and First Baptist Church of Cresmont. She was also a member of 
the Music Executive Board and accompanist for the Billy Graham Crusade 
in June 1992, and in 1985 was director of the City Wide Revival Choir 
where she has also served as a musician. Mrs. Drayton was the first 
director appointed by the Missionary Baptist Pastor's Conference, now 
under the presidency of Rev. Anthony Floyd, to organize the Martin 
Luther King, Jr. Massed Choir, which performed for the first Martin 
Luther King, Jr., celebration hosted by the Baptist Minister's 
Conferences and associations of Philadelphia and vicinity.
  Mrs. Drayton is the founder and president of Church Musicians 
Services, Inc., a minority-owned business dedicated to the enhancement 
of religious music in Philadelphia, providing a referral system for 
church musician as well as training and education, and a quarterly 
newsletter, Hallelujah.
  Mrs. Drayton's latest project is the publication of ``Distinguished 
Church Musicians in the United States,'' a book to recognize all 
musicians who have and are serving in congregations across the country.
  Mr. Speaker, Joyce Erlinda Gambrell Drayton is a pillar of the 
Philadelphia religious community. I am proud to stand with her friends, 
family, and congregation in thanking her for her many years of great 
service to God.

                          ____________________