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GOSPEL MUSIC WORKSHOP OF AMERICA

The Gospel Music Workshop of America is a non-profit, international, interdenominational, unbiased, and voluntary association of gospel singers and musicians. It also includes ministers, educators, business professionals and higher education partnerships. These partnerships provide continuing education, collaboration and communication of ideas for the advancement of sacred and gospel music.

MISSION

To preserve the heritage of gospel music in America, while providing a forum for the development of excellence in the presentation of gospel music. Furthermore, to increase opportunities for the education and preservation of gospel music throughout other music industries and the world.

VISION

To continue the heritage of gospel music by academically preparing gospel artists for the future; to raise the level of excellence in the worship experience; and to provide a platform in which all forms of gospel music can matriculate.

History of the Gospel Music Workshop of America

Rev. James Cleveland
Founder

Rev. James Cleveland founded the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. (GMWA) in 1967, in Detroit Michigan. Rev. Cleveland called together friends from across the United States in an effort to share his vision of establishing a venue for gospel music to be presented. These individuals were chosen due to their contributions in gospel music. This association formed the Gospel Music Workshop of America, with a national motto “Where Everybody is Somebody” was born.

The Gospel Music Workshop of America is a Christian organization convening annually with intergenerational global performances. which include choirs, recording artists, composers, educators, dancers, and pastors. GMWA continues to welcome all ethnicities, influences and cultures.

Since the untimely passing of its founder, Rev. James Cleveland, in 1991, the organization has continued to thrive as one of the world’s treasured music institutions. Presently, it is the largest artistic organization of its kind in the world stretching from the United States to Asia. The Gospel Music Workshop of America has been the launching platform for worldwide gospel artists.

GMWA MEMBERSHIP

GMWA Membership includes vocalists, instrumentalists, composers, arrangers, directors, music industry professionals, pastors, ministers, ushers, nurses, and security.

GMWA CONVENTIONS

Each year bi annually, delegates assemble in a selected city for the annual board meeting which is held late winter for planning the annual convention, that is held mid summer.

GMWA RECORDINGS

The Performance Division records at GMWA convention. What Shall I Do, Order My Steps, For God So Loved the World, Everyday is a Day of Thanksgiving, and Safety are just a few popular recordings.

GMWA Convention
Locations

2023-Greensboro, North Carolina
2022-Atlanta, Georgia
2021-Virtual
2020-Cancelled (Global Epidemic)
2019-Washington, DC
2018-Atlanta, Georgia
2017-Atlanta, Georgia
2016-Birmingham, Alabama
2015-New Orleans, Louisiana
2014-Atlanta, Georgia
2013-Cincinnati, Ohio
2012-Nashville, TN
2011-Tampa, Florida
2010-Cincinnati, Ohio
2009-Cincinnati, Ohio
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

GMWA Board Meeting
Locations

2023 – Dallas, Texas
2022 – Virtual
2021 – Virtual Board Meeting
2020 – Norfolk, Virginia
2019 – Los Angeles, California
2018 – Las Vegas, NV
2017 – Las Vegas, NV
2016 – Las Vegas, NV
2015 – Las Vegas, NV
2014 – Los Angeles, California
2013 – Dallas, Texas
2012 – San Diego, California
2011 – Norfolk, Virginia
2010 – Henderson, Nevada
2009 – Birmingham, Alabama
2008 – Dallas, Texas
2007 – Brooklyn, New York
2006 – San Diego, California
2005 – Las Vegas, Nevada
2004 – Las Vegas, Nevada
2003 – Dayton, Ohio
2002 – Tulsa, Oklahoma
2001 – Richmond, Virginia
2000 – Birmingham, Alabama
1999 – Little Rock, Arkansas
1998 – Nassau Bahamas
1997 – Houston, Texas
1996 – Mobile, Alabama

1995 – Phoenix, Arizona
1994 – Oakland, CA
1993 – Nashville, Tennessee
1991 – Charlotte, North Carolina
1990 – San Diego, California
1989 – Las Vegas, Nevada
1988 – Mobile, Alabama
1987 – Las Vegas, Nevada
1986 – Las Vegas, Nevada
1985 – New Orleans, Louisiana
1984 – Chicago Illinois
1983 – Chicago, Illinois
1982 – Indianapolis, Indiana
1981 – San Antonio, Texas
1980 – San Diego, California
1979 – Birmingham, Alabama
1978 – Ft. Worth, Texas
1977 – Nashville, Tennessee
1976 – Tampa, Florida
1975 – Las Vegas, Nevada
1973 – Savannah, Georgia
1972 – Chicago, Illinois
1971 – Dallas, Texas
1970 – St. Louis, Missouri
1969 – Detroit, Michigan
1968 – Detroit, Michigan

FAQs

What does GMWA stands for?

GMWA stands for Gospel Music Workshop of America.

How do I join the National GMWA?

You must join a local GMWA chapter first,after thatyou are anautomatic member of the National GMWA.To contact a local chapter click on this link http://www.gmwachapters.org/.

How much does it cost to join the National GMWA?

There is no cost to join the National GMWA. Local GMWA chapters have their own yearly joining fees and dues.

Why do I have to pay a fee to join the local GMWA chapter?

The local chapter has to pay dues/fees to the National GMWA to operate as a chapter. Those fees come from chapter dues.

I'm a musician are there opportunities for me to play an instrument or teach songs?

As an active member of a local chapter, musicians should avail to the Performance Division's selection process.

I'm a choir director are there opportunities for me to teach or direct songs?

As an active member of a local chapter, choir directors should avail to the Performance Division's selection process.

Do I have to be an accomplished singer to join a GMWA chapter?

No, chapters accept anyone willing to learn.

When is the National GMWA Convention?

The convention is usually held in July.

How do I submit a song I wrote to the National GMWA Convention?

In order to submit a song to the National GMWA Convention you must pay your yearly joining fees and be an active member of a local GMWA chapter. Information on song submission usually is posted on the website in January each year.

CONTACT GMWA

General Inquiries

Press Inquiries

GMWA 57th Board Meeting

Board Meeting dates:
February 26-29, 2024

Host site/city:
Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel/
Norfolk, VA

57th Annual Convention

SAVE THE DATE

July 14-19, 2024-Memphis, TN

GOSPEL MUSIC WORKSHOP OF AMERICA
MOBILE APP

COMING SOON

The Official app of GMWA. With this app, you’ll be able to stay up to date with the latest & greatest things going on at GMWA.

App features include:

Live updates of what is going on at GMWA
Give! With the push of a button
Get connected to the prayer hotline
Shop inside the app
Watch Service LIVE Inside the app
Be able to take notes of the sermons you hear inside the app

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