Gospel Music Workshop of America

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Gospel Music Workshop of America
Background information
Also known as	GMWA convention mass choir GMWA Women of Worship GMWA Men of Promise GMWA Youth Choir
Genre(s)	Gospel
Years active	1967 (1967) - Present
Label(s)	Savoy Records Intersound Records Benson Records A&M Records
Associated acts	Rev. James Cleveland Albertina Walker Kirk Franklin Kurt Carr

Gospel Music Workshop of America is an international music convention founded by Rev. James Cleveland along with Albertina Walker in 1967.

Contents 1 GMWA membership 2 GMWA conventions and recordings 3 References 4 External links

[edit] GMWA membership

Current board members   Rt. Rev. Dr. Albert L. Jamison Sr., Chair, Board of Directors Dr. Al "The Bishop" Hobbs, Executive Vice Chair Dr. Charles E. Davis, Secretary Ms. Shirley M.K. Birkley, Treasurer Mrs. Sheila Smith, Director of Operations (deceased) Rev. Isadore Jackson, Chairman, Men's Division Dr. William Simms, Vice Chair, Administration Dr. Charles Fold, Vice Chair, Chapter Representatives (deceased) Rev. Isaac Whittman, Vice Chair, Men's Department Dr. Charles Reese, Dean, Academic Department Mr. James Ford, Mass Choir Fashion Show Attorney Ron Magnus, General Counsel Ms. Rodena Preston-Williams, Vice Chair, Mass Choir Mrs. Helen J. Stephens, Mass Choir Rev. Lawrence London, Vice Chair, Evangelism Dr. Charles A. Craig, Vice Chair, Security Nurses & Ushers Ms. Merdean Fielding Gates, Vice Chair, Debutantes Bishop Richard "Mr. Clean" White, Co-Chair, Men's Department Bishop Sam Williams, Religious Announcers Rev. Eddie Templeton, Member Rev. Floyd Miles, Co-Chair Finance / Transportation Mr. Bill White, Member Mr. E. Larry McDuffie, Religious Announcer Ms. Annette May-Thomas, Member Ms. Cora Martin-Moore, Member Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, Member Dr. Melvin Von Wade, Sr., Member Mr. Mark Smith, Convention Manager

Active GMWA Membership ranges from professional and amateur Gospel vocalists to instrumentalists, composers, arrangers, directors and producers, and the like. According to its official website, approximately 75% of the music on Billboard's Gospel Charts is written, arranged, produced, or performed by GMWA members. The GMWA also has chapters in the United States, United Kingdom, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.

[edit] GMWA conventions and recordings

The GMWA presently meets twice a year. A board meeting is held in the spring and the annual convention session is held at a major venue beginning on the second Sunday of August. The conventions include workshops and musical performances during the week and attract 12,000 to 15,000 registrants annually. A mass choir of 2,000 to 3,000 vocalists is formed at each GMWA convention, and year a new recording is produced. GMWA offshoots who also record include GMWA Women of Worship, GMWA Men of Promise, and the GMWA Youth Choir.

Past GMWA Convention locations   Annual Session Locations included: 2008 - Nashville, Tennessee 2007 - Orlando, Florida 2006 - Dallas, Texas 2005 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2004 - Tampa, Florida 2003 - Kansas City, Missouri 2002 - Detroit, Michigan 2001 - Minneapolis, Minnesota 2000 - New Orleans, Louisiana 1999 - New Orleans, Louisiana 1998 - Chicago, Illinois 1997 - Indianapolis, Indiana 1996 - Los Angeles, California 1995 - 1994 - 1993 - 1992 - Chicago, Illinois 1991 - 1990 - 1989 - 1988 - 1987 - St. Louis, Missouri 1986 - Miami, Florida 1985 - 1984 - Atlanta, Georgia 1983 - Cincinnati, Ohio 1982 - Houston, Texas 1981 - Los Angeles, California 1980 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1979 - 1978 - 1977 - 1976 - 1975 - 1974 - 1973 - 1972 - 1971 - 1970 - 1969 - 1968 - 1967 - Detroit, Michigan

The first GMWA convention was held in Detroit, Michigan in 1968 at King Solomon Baptist Church. Approximately 3,000 delegates attended.

[edit] References

This article is a part in a series on Gospel music

Roots and Beginnings   Christian Hymns Negro Spirituals Sacred Harp Shape note

Genres and Subgenres   Southern Gospel Bluegrass gospel Christian country music Country Gospel Progressive Southern Gospel Urban contemporary gospel Christian hip hop Gospel blues

Related Music Genres   CCM

Associations and Groups   Gospel Music Hall of Fame Gospel Music Workshop of America National Gospel Singing Convention National Quartet Convention Australian Gospel Music Association GMA Canada

Gospel Music Awards   GMA Dove Award Stellar Awards Covenant Awards Singing News Fan Awards Australian Gospel Music Awards

Related WikiProjects   Christianity Wikiproject Gospel music Wikiproject Southern Gospel Wikiproject

Category  • Musicians See also: Christianity: Portal  • Category Christian music: Portal  • Category

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[edit] External links

• GMWA Official Site
• Gospel Music Workshop of America at Allmusic