Gospel Music Workshop of America

Gospel Music Workshop of America
Also known as	GMWA National Mass Choir GMWA Women of Worship GMWA Men of Promise GMWA Youth Mass Choir
Genres	Gospel
Years active	1967 (1967) - Present
Labels	Savoy Records Intersound Records Benson Records A&M Records King James Records Sweet Rain Records
Associated acts	Rev. James Cleveland Albertina Walker (Queen of Gospel Music) Kirk Franklin Kurt Carr Dorothy Norwood John P. Kee

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

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 Bro. Steven Roberts Rev. Isadore Jackson 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 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.

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 each year a new recording is produced. GMWA offshoots who also record include GMWA Women of Worship, GMWA Men of Promise, and the GMWA Youth Mass Choir.

Past GMWA Convention locations Annual Session Locations included: 2011 - Tampa, Florida 2010 - Cincinnati, Ohio 2009 - Cincinnati, Ohio (July) 2008 - Nashville, Tennessee 2007 - Orlando, Florida 2006 - Dallas, Texas 2005 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2004 - Kansas City, Missouri 2003 - Tampa, Florida 2002 - Detroit, Michigan 2001 - Minneapolis, Minnesota 2000 - New Orleans, Louisiana 1999 - New Orleans, Louisiana 1998 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1997 - Cincinnati, Ohio 1996 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1995 - Los Angeles, California 1994 - Atlanta, Georgia 1993 - Indianapolis, Indiana 1992 - Chicago, Illinois 1991 - Salt Lake City, Utah 1990 - Washington, D.C. 1989 - New Orleans, Louisiana 1988 - St. Louis, Missouri 1987 - Detroit, Michigan 1986 - Miami, Florida 1985 - New York City, New York 1984 - Atlanta, Georgia 1983 - Cincinnati, Ohio 1982 - Houston, Texas 1981 - Los Angeles, California 1980 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1979 - New Orleans, Louisiana 1978 - Washington, D.C. 1977 - Detroit, Michigan 1976 - Kansas City, Missouri 1975 - New York City, New York 1974 - Cleveland, Ohio 1973 - Chicago, Illinois 1972 - Los Angeles, California 1971 - Dallas, Texas 1970 - St. Louis, Missouri 1969 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1968 - Detroit, Michigan

The first GMWA convention was held in Detroit, Michigan in 1968 at King Solomon Baptist Church. Approximately 3,000 delegates attended. The most recent GMWA convention was held in Nashville, Tennessee in 2008 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Approximately 12,000 delegates attended. In 2009 the Board Meeting will be held in Birmingham, Alabama and the Annual Session will be held in the month of July in Cincinnati, Ohio.

External links

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