Richard Smallwood Workshop- City Hall Plaza, July 2007
Richard Smallwood and the Triple Hill Community Choir
There were more than 1,000 people sitting in City Hall Plaza, and yet, one could almost hear a pin drop.
An audience of music enthusiasts, gathered in July to hear the internationally renowned Gospel artist, Richard Smallwood. The Grammy and Stellar Award winning vocalist, composer, pianist, arranger, visited the city to close the Triple Hill Music Festival. His appearance also coincided with his worldwide tour in support of Journey, a celebration of the 25th anniversary of his recording career. 
Donna Jackson, Triple Hill Music Festival Founder introduces Joshua Freeman
Prior to the concert, Donna Jackson, Creative Director and founder of the Festival, anticipated the great excitement that Smallwood would bring to the city. She said, “He is respected for his musical ability by both young and old, and this multigenerational and multi-ethnic admiration will be a tremendous draw.” Jackson added, “The Smallwood Workshop truly follows the original intent of the Triple Hill Music Festival, which is exposure, awareness and hands-on involvement through direct interaction with musical material.”
Jackson, four days prior to giving birth to her second daughter, was universally praised for her extraordinary work and continuous effort to bring the three-month project to fruition. It was a monumental opportunity for the Mount Vernon native to give back to the city that she loves so much. Both Mayor Ernest Davis, and Janet Langsam, Executive Director of the Westchester Arts Council, acknowledged Jackson’s outstanding contributions during the concert.
The Triple Hill Musical Festival was a project of the Arts Council. The three-month program received a grant from the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors to make music more accessible to diverse audiences.
More than 2,500 Mount Vernon residents from April through July had the opportunity to experience music in public schools, and a variety of community venues. Local and national artists from an extensive array of musical genres including jazz, rhythm and blues, hip-hop, samba, folk, and gospel, contributed to the rich tapestry of in-depth exposure. “Rock My Soul: The Black Legacy of Rock and Roll,” an exhibition housed in the Mount Vernon Public Library, was the festival’s anchor.
The Smallwood Workshop led off with a performance by the Triple Hill Community Choir. The choir of 79 members, representing 23 churches from the New York Metropolitan area, was formed by Donna Jackson to perform Smallwood’s work. The choir director was Damon Mack of Allen Memorial Church of God in Christ.
Jackson acknowledged Damon Mack, JP Wilson, Derrick L. James, and Sheila Baptista, for their work with the choir. The program’s talented musicians included Krystle Ford (violin); Da’Quan Davis (drums); James Johnson, Josh Freeman and Keith Cropper (keyboards); and Joe Scott (bass).
