Subject: Music

At Embry AME Church

During benefit concert. Young violinist plays with his teacher, NevillaOttley

In performance during benefit concert for Lakeland Community Heritage Project at University of Maryland Chapel

During benefit concert at Memorial Chapel, University of Maryland. This young man was a student of Ottley Music School, Hyattsville

Embry AME Church

May 16, 1958 program held at First Baptist Church of College Park. Artists were community members and friends

Cast photo is found in collection

During performance held at University of Maryland's Memorial Chapel. The event was modeled after a benefit program held on May 16, 1958. Ms. Gillins also performed at that earlier event.

During concert at Memorial Chapel. The event was modeled after an event in Lakeland on May 16 1958

Newspaper clippings of various happenings involving Lakelanders.

Sunday Star February 3 1957 Singer Wardell has been performing in talent shows since he was six. He is a student at Lakeland Junior High School.

Fairmont Heights Highschool 1962 yearbook. Titled "Reflector." Senior year of James Walter Edwards and Pearl Lee Campbell. See Description for more information about this particular page. The High School Choir, and opposite the Dance Group. The upper photo is of the Spring Dance Recital, "The Witch Doctor." Noted is Ruth Bell, Donald Ingram, and Gwendolyn Bailey, the latter two of whom are in the limbo depicted underneath it.

A member of the nationally known singing group the Ink Spots, Lakeland native Ernest Brown played guitar and contributed tenor vocals. On October 12, 1952, he was with the group when they appeared as guests on the iconic “Ed Sullivan Show.” Brown was one of the younger sons of early Lakeland resident Pleasant Brown.

Embry AME Church

Home parties were an important part of the Lakeland social scene. In this circa 1964 photograph, Lakelander Ernest Brown, left, a former member of the Ink Spots, the popular vocal group of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, and saxophonist Samuel Hollomand treat guests to a jam session. The party took place in the recreation room of the James Weems family.

During Concert at University of Maryland's Memorial Chapel. Event was a program of Lakeland Community Heritage Project

Many of the young people in the community used public transportation to travel to the District of Columbia to study piano under David Hines. For several years, the students presented a fundraising recital at Embry A.M.E. Church. This program on June 27, 1957, included, left to right, (first row) Reginald Keys, Rosetta Brooks, Cynthia Hines, Phyllis Smith, DeWana Gray, and Karl Alexander; (second row) Janet Randall, Jacqueline Randall, Barbara Brown, Diane Weems, and Frances Mason.

The Yearbook Staff, and opposite the String Ensemble. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra presented a concert to their High School group.

In 1957, fourteen-year-old Wardell Thomas was Lakeland’s own teenage singing sensation. He was featured in a February 1957 Washington Star article, which applauded his ability and his winning streak at local talent shows. Thomas impressed his audiences with renderings of songs such as “In the Still of the Night” and “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” He began his musical career at the age of six when he walked on stage and performed during a show. Thomas also sang at Embry A.M.E. Church.

During City celebration

The Dance Band and Glee Club.

Lakeland schools supplemented academic activities with variety shows that helped children develop performance skills and confidence in public speaking. In 1953, students at Lakeland Elementary School performed a Tom Thumb wedding, inspired by the song “The Wedding of the Painted Doll,” from the 1929 film The Broadway Melody. The school’s presentation included Lakeland boys and girls, as well as those who attended the school from other communities along U.S. Route 1

Rev. Dessie Carter, Spencer Briscoe, Betty Greene, Dessie Thomas, Shirley Anderson, jean Matthews, Lester Gray, Thomas Randall, Janet Gillians, Bubby Brown, Florence Lee, Vera Matthews, Fanny Douglas, James. Clemens

Embry AME Church

At home on leave from the United States Army during World War II in 1942, George “Pete” Walls is surrounded by friends. From left to right are Mary Jane Giles Fields, Amos Guss, Gertrude Davis, Pete Walls, Lucille Giles, Gertrude Brooks, and Evelyn Giles Tyner, playing the guitar. 

Concert held at Memorial Chapel, University of Maryland

First Baptist Church Choir during Heritage Weekend Sunday service at Washington Brazilian SDA Church the site of Lakeland High School

Morris Crump and Vera Claiborne

In performance at University of Maryland's Memorial Chapel during concert sponsored by Lakeland Community Heritage Project

Queens Chapel Male Chorus in concert during event sponsored by Lakeland Community Heritage Project at Memorial Chapel on University of Maryland Campus

Image taken at Sis's Tavern

The Baltimore Afro American September 24, 1927 p 16 Lakeland, Maryland On Monday schools opened. Attendance was good. On Tuesday several residents traveled to Laurel for the six-part joint school meeting. Attendees from Lakeland were Ellen Johnson, Ellen Briscoe, Mamie Weems, Chesley Mack, Cornelia Jiles, George Randall, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. James Gray. Mr. and Mrs. George Randall hosted the sister and brother-in-law of Mrs. Randall, Mr. and Mrs. McLeod from New York City. The list of sick in the community includes Hattie Burke, Eliza Bowie, Fannie Brown, Thomas Johnson, and James Singleton. Yesterday Bessie and Julia Mack returned to Bowie Normal School. Pauline Gray is back home after a two month stay in Atlantic City, NJ. On Sunday Mr. and Mrs. John Spriggs made a visit to Thomas Greene who is ill in Crownsville, Md For the last week Georgianna Stewart has been ill. She is getting better. Last Sunday Benjamin Thomas was hurt when he was hit in the head with a baseball bat by his brother. He is unwell. On Friday night the Union Band of Lakeland will have a regular meeting at Embry AME Church.

The Baltimore Afro American August 4 1928 Page 19 Lakeland, Maryland At Embry AME Church Sunday School was held at 10 am followed by morning services by pastor, Rev J.W. Wing at 11 am. Rev, Jones from Brentwood AME Zion Church gave the sermon at 3 PM. Many members of that congregation were also present. At the evening service three children of Mr. and Mrs. George Brooks were christened. Rev. Mrs. J.A. Maxey, evangelist from Washington DC gave sermon at First Baptist. On Monday August 6th the Baptist ministers’ Conference of Washington DC will meet at Lakeland First Baptist Church from 12 to 5 PM. Lunch will be served. Rev. A.P. Abbott is pastor. There was a moving picture show at Embry AME Church on Friday evening. Mary Spriggs was chairman for the event. Maggie Mack sponsored a rally which raised $30 for a pulpit set. Rev. Wright preached a sermon. Washington Harpist Princess Richardson will perform a concert at First Baptist Church on Monday evening August 6. Mr. and Mrs. George Gross are hosting ing their daughter Margaret Gray and grandson Charles from New York. An entertainment for the orphan children of Washington DC was held at Mack’s Park. The event was sponsored by Morning Star Lodge No. 40 and Forest Temple, No. 9, I.B.P.O.E. of W of Washington DC Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thomas hosted his sister, Mary Boldin and her daughters Anna, Agnes, Mary and Alice for a week’s visit. On Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thomas hosted Mr. and Mrs. Maron Mack, Louise Mack, Marion White, Miss Brown, Carrie Cole of New York and Eddie Smith. Maggie Mack hosted a number of people at her home. They were Rev. D.G. Mack, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, The wife of Rev. Mack and his daughter from Baltimore, and an evangelist and friend, Rev Wright from Washington DC. Julia Briscoe hosted Clinton Collins a professor at the State Normal School in Bowie, Noah Taylor, Brent Thomas, Charles Cornish, Elsie Young from Tee Bee, Md. Hilda Kemp, Alice Douglass, and Dean Williams of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Johnson hosted Elizabeth Stubbs and her daughter May from Washington DC Julia Mack and Helen Briscoe visited Baltimore for two weeks

Parade along Navahoe Street in Lakeland

Parade along Navahoe Street in Lakeland

Parade along Navahoe Street in Lakeland

Parade along Navahoe Street in Lakeland

Parade along Navahoe Street in Lakeland