WELCOME TO

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

GMWA stands for Gospel Music Workshop of America.

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/.

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

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

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

No, chapters accept anyone willing to learn.

The convention is usually held in July.

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

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57th Annual Convention

SAVE THE DATE

July 14-19, 2024-Memphis, TN

2024 Song Submission Guidelines

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

57th Annual Convention

SAVE THE DATE

July 14-19, 2024-Memphis, TN