Citation: Trevor W. Payne, C.M.

Eager to share the rich tradition of his cultural background, this remarkable musician has used his talent to introduce gospel music to the Greater Montreal community.  Under his direction, the Montreal Jubilaton Gospel Choir has become internationally known and its performances have supported numerous charitable causes.  he is an important role model for youth, encouraging them to take pride in their community and to strive for excellence in education and music.

Supporting reasons for his appointment to the Order:

• Contributions to his community and to Canadian Society: His contribution to the Black Community, of which he is a member, has had a ripple effect, in the sense that his activities: i.e. his music, his teaching, and, his work with high school drop-outs, have engendered a positive spill-over into the wider community.
  

• Contribution to the expansion of the activities of the Church, by linking current and past history: As the founder of the Montreal Black Community Youth Choir, at Union United Church, the oldest Black Congregation in Montreal, he introduced the youth of the Black Community to Gospel Music as an art form, and made the link between Gospel Music and the history of Black People in North America.

• Link between his contributions to Union United Church and the Wider Community: As the Montreal Black Community Youth Choir learned the music which he taught, and the Choir became known, Gospel Music was introduced to the Greater Montreal Community, to the extent that in 1993, there was a special section at the Montreal International Jazz Festival for Gospel Music. Introducing the Music of Black People to the wider community, had the positive effect of having that aspect of Black Culture better known and respected, thereby gaining respect for the race. Having the Black Youth absorbed with this type of positive activity, taught them discipline, kept them away from negative forces, and goal directed.

• Contributions as a role-model for Black Community Youth: As the founder of the Black Community Youth Choir, based in a well-respected black church, he became a role model to many of the black youth whom he inspired and motivated. Many of the youth from his initial choir, continued their love for music and are members of the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir to this day. Others have pursued an interest in music, such as Diane Thornhill, one of his soloists, who now holds a masters degree in music; Sandra Wilson, and Kim Sherwood, each direct their own gospel choir. Other young people have gone into the pop-music field, while others have achieved in the academic world, such as Sandra Wills who holds a doctorate in Communications, and Natalie Collins who holds a law degree.

• Contributions at the Pre-University level: Professor Payne is currentlly Director of Music at John Abbott College, a CEGEP, located on the West Island of Montreal, where he is well-respected and admired by students and staff. His courses at John Abbott are in great demand because of his lively and scholarly class presentations, which motivate and generate an enthusiastic response from the students. The effusive response of his students are evident particularly when they return years later to thank him and tell him about his contribution to their academic growth and development, as well as his positive impact on their lives.

• Concurrent activities make him a going concern: Concurrent with his activities at John Abbott College, he is the Founder & Director of the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir. This Choir, consisting of 50 voices, has become internationally renowned. He and his Choir have participated in such functions as performing for the Queen on June 30, 1992, the eve of Canada's 125th. Anniversary; during the visit of Nelson Mandella to Canada in 1990; at the opening of the national exhibition entitled: 'Many Rivers to Cross', for the Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney, at the Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec; and, at the opening and closing of the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 1992 (their fifth and sixth appearances at the world's largest Jazz Festival).

• His pursuit of excellence and its rewards: His pursuit of excellence in all that he does, his teaching and his music, has resulted in the numerous releases by the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir, and the number of awards and nominations received by him and his choir.

• Community Contributions: His sense of community has provided the impetus for several fund raising (performances for the benefit of various community organizations, not restricted to his own community. For example, among the numerous benefit concerts by the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir, are those in aid of: Operation Enfant Soleil; CFCF Telethon of Stars; Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Programs; Cerebral Palsy Association and the James Robinson Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies.

• His Contribution to the enhancement of Canada's image abroad: Trevor W. Payne and the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir continue their vibrant contributions to the National and International Gospel Music Market through their European Tours and their world-wide recording sales, which serves to publicize and enhance Canada's positive international reputation.

• Multi-faceted Contributions: For all of these aspects of his contributions to the youth of his community; his students from the Broader Community; for his introduction of Gospel Music to the Greater Montreal Community; for his contribution to the provision of positive alternatives for his people and all Canadians, Professor Trevor Winston Payne was appointed to the Order of Canada on May 22, 1996.