WELCOME TO

GOSPEL MUSIC WORKSHOP OF AMERICA

Albert L. Jamison Sr.

Chairman of the Board

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

2025 – Montgomery, AL

2024-Memphis Tennessee

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, Pennsylvania20

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

2025 Las Vegas

2024 Norfolk Virginia

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.