CD Released January 29, 2022
CD Available at Christian Book & Music Ctr, 3090 Nanaimo St., Victoria, BC. Canada
Sampler Video of 5 Songs
Listen to songs #1, 2, 3, 4, and 11 by clicking on link below. TO purchase the CD, scroll to top of page and click on PURCHASE CD button on top menu bar
OR, see bottom of page for music streaming services
The Story Behind "Songs in the Night"
"SONGS IN THE NIGHT" is a musical testimony expressed in over a dozen songs, five of which were composed by singer and songwriter, Barbara Angeline Gill. Through lyrics that are easy to identify with, her music sets out to fully embrace the listener as she reflects upon the spiritual depths of her own diminishing hope during the 1970's when loss, loneliness, and spiritual darkness seemed to overshadow her hopes and dreams. But in a style reminiscent of the psalmists, she invites the listener upwards to the exhilarating heights of faith-filled worship in the midst of despair, like drinking from a cup running over with both sorrow and joy.
In 1978 Barbara arranged to have the songs recorded while singing in a professional studio in California. But discouragement was not far behind and she eventually lost all hope that a recording label would take an interest in her work. Sadly, the songs were never published. It wasn't until 2021 that her husband discovered the original reel-to-reel recordings and set out to have the songs remastered to produce this CD.
Some people may feel the songs are from an era past. Yet the truth is Christian music which glorifies God is timeless, and will never cease to capture the Spirit's power to breathe life and hope into anyone seeking God at anytime. As Barbara testifies, "these are the songs that helped me through my darkest nights and whispered to my soul how I needed to trust in Jesus like I had never done before."
Read more of her story below under "Barb's Bio Brief" and under the menu "MORE" or "Barb's Bio" on the top left of this page. Her story and pictures are also included in the 8-page booklet inside the CD case.
Getting to Know Barbara
Barbara currently resides on Canada's west coast with her husband, Larry, in the picturesque city of Victoria, BC. (see link below). This was actually her birth place before her family moved to Southern California where her parents pastored several churches in the Free Methodist conference. Find out more about her story, her skating, her studies, her singing, her service, and her spiritual journey, by clicking on the title "BARB'S BIO" under the "MORE" menu at the top left of this page. You may be surprised at how much God can accomplish through someone who often felt left alone, left behind, and left out.
Those who have experienced her music and gifted voice, developed through years of training in opera, stage musicals, and church choral productions, have recognized her talent as exceptional and her worship as genuine and passionate. To God be the glory!
Pearson Park Amphitheatre, Anaheim, CA.
Review of "The King and I", held at Pearson Park Amphitheater, Anaheim, California "Barbara Angeline Smith [Gill] as Tuptim was a standout. Her singing, done with feeling, couldn't be surpassed in richness and purity. She kept us hungering for more."
Holly Bridges, Daily News Tribune, Orange County, CA.
"I have been most impressed with the high quality and Christian dedication Barbara brings to every project. Her voice is simply gorgeous. She radiates a spiritual rainbow of exultation, joy, love, peace, and hope when she performs. When Barbara sings, lives are changed."
Dr. WARREN MARSH, Min. of Music, Lake Hills Comm. Church, CA
Barb's Bio Brief
Her Story
Her Skating
Her Skating
From Canada to California, Barbara began her life on the move and striving to improve. Born in Victoria, BC, she was only nine months old when she was bundled up by her parents and older brother, Monty, as they moved to Southern California, to the city of Whittier, where her father would become pastor of the Free Methodist Church.
Her Skating
Her Skating
Her Skating
At the age of nine, Barbara was encouraged to become involved in the sport of ice skating initially to help correct a common knee condition. Her commitment to the sport became exclusive over the next several years, practicing figure 8's with a goal for perfection, and attempting increasingly difficult athletic jumps and artistic moves in order to excel in local and regional competitions.
Her Studies
Her Skating
By 1953, the family had moved from Whittier to pastor the FM church in Pasadena. Barbara began elementary school in nearby Altadena before the family moved several years later to another pastorate in Chino, CA. where she attended Chino Junior and Senior High school. It was while she was a sophomore that the choir teacher, Mrs. Richartz, took note of Barbara's natural talent and encouraged her parents to enroll her in voice lessons. Such an intuitive and timely act by this one instructor had a major influence on Barbara's future both as a soloist and a teacher.
Her Singing
Barbara has numerous talents but the one that is most evident is her singing. As a young girl in junior high school, she quickly excelled in music which resulted in her being awarded leading roles in musicals each year. Soon after entering university, Barbara's popularity as a coloratura soprano was attracting the attention of musical directors and local opera groups, becoming their primary choice for principal roles. Her list of performances follows ...
Her Service
From Choral Director to Worship Leader, Barbara has clearly demonstrated she can embrace the challenge of directing mass choirs in large venues, while never thinking too highly of herself that she would pass up a need for music leadership in small organizations and churches. What motivates her toward serving is neither the position nor the pay, but a passion to encourage others in their musical gifts, knowing more and more people will have the opportunity to worship the God she loves and serves. Throughout her years teaching and directing, she has had a positive impact upon the lives of thousands of young people and adults.
Her Spiritual Life
"I was blessed to have been born into a Christian family with two wonderful parents and an older brother I adored. My father, Benjamin, who was raised in Croydon, England, came to Canada at age 18 to become a cowboy - but God had another plan. Dad received Christ as his Savior in 1921 in Regina, SK. and immediately felt a divine calling to become a pastor and evangelist. He soon met the love of his life, Hazel May Porter, a gentle and faithful woman who became his wife in 1925. Together, they served the Lord for 51 years of ministry, first through a horse and buggy circuit in Saskatchewan, and later by pastoring a total of 12 churches in the Canadian Prairies, BC, and Southern California. At camp meetings and evangelistic gatherings, Dad was used by God to bring hundreds of people to faith in Christ and became a much sought after preacher.
Thank you for Coming to the celebration!
SONGS IN THE NIGHT available on these music streaming sites
