33rd Annual GMWA Schedule Highlights

New Orleans again hosts the annual national convention of the Gospel Music Workshop of America.  The event takes place at the Ernest  Morial Convention Center from Saturday August 12th through to Friday August 18th.

With an overwhelming number of activities, services and events, it is always a challenge to choose what to attend.  Whether you are headed for mass choir rehearsal, convention exhibits, nightly musicals or are staking your week in the various industry-specific tracks (Gospel radio announcers etc.), there is truly something for everyone.

This year's theme is "A Call to Excellence", and below are some highlights that are open to all GMWA registrants (with embedded links to album reviews)   

Saturday, August 12th, 2000

12:00 Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Convention, Mass Choir & Class Registration
Exhibit Hall - B2
Convention Center

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
GMWA, Inc. / National Convention Of Choirs and Choruses
Combined service in tribute to Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey and Reverend James Cleveland
New Orleans Marriott Grand Ballroom

10:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Come As You Are Musical
La Louisianne Ballroom

Sunday, August 13th, 2000

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Early Morning Service
Convention Center, Room 217-219

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Exhibits Open
Exhibit Hall - B2, Convention Center

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Convention Registration/Class Registration
Mass Choir Registration
Exhibit Hall - B2, Convention Center

11:00 a.m.
Annual Communion and Consecration Service
Theme: "Nothing But The Blood" Reverend Lawrence London and Bishop Albert Jamison - Officiates
Guest Speaker: Bishop Albert L. Jamison Pastor, Pleasant Grove Baptist Tabernacle Brooklyn, NY, Chairman, GMWA, Inc.
Music ministry by New York Chapter & the New Orleans Chapter Choirs, The Thurston Fraizer Memorial Chorale and The James Cleveland Chorus
Hall  A, Convention Center

3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Gospel Today Magazine, Atlantic, EMI Gospel and Verity Records present "The Hottest Gospel Concert Of The Summer - A GMWA 2000 Showcase" Guest Artists: Tarralyn Ramsey, Damita Haddon, BBJ, Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers, The Beacon Light Mass Choir, New Orleans
New Orleans Marriott Grand Ballroom
Admission: Free - 3000 seats available

7:00 p.m. - 12:00 Midnight
GMWA Nightly Musical
Featuring GMWA Chapter Artists from across America
Exhibit Hall - A, Convention Center

10:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.
The GMWA Welcomes Bishop Larry Trotter's Joshua Joint : A Gospel Light Club ('A new concept for a now generation')
Featuring : The God Squad, VaShawn Mitchell & The New Image Chorale, Sharon Riley & The Faith Chorale, Anton Foster & Chemistry, Otis Battles & The High Point Community Choir, Floyd Wilkerson & Reach Out Ministries, B. Chase Williams & Shabach, A Musicians Jam Session and more TBA.
Special Guest: Bishop Larry Trotter and Bishop Paul S. Morton.
Cabaret Setting, Food and Soda Bars
La Louisianne Ballroom, Convention Center

12:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Reverend Richard "Mr. Clean" White Service
Marriott Grand Ballroom
Special Guest: TBA

Daily Events

6:00a.m. - 7:00 a.m. (Mon. - Fri.)
Aerobics Class
Exercise Room
Hilton Hotel

8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Mon. - Thurs.)
Exhibits Open
Exhibit Hall - B2, Convention Center

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Mon. - Thurs.)
Class, Convention, and Mass Choir Registration
Exhibit Hall - B2, Convention Center

7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. (Mon. - Thurs.)
Workshop Series I
Convention Center

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Mon. - Thurs.)
Academic Library
Rooms 211-213, Convention Center

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. (Mon. - Thurs.)
Workshop Series II
Convention Center

9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (Mon. - Fri.)
New Artist Showcase
Marriott Grand Ballroom

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon (Mon. - Fri.)
"Our Daily Bread"
Special Worship Service featuring Sermons from Nationally Acclaimed Ministers
La Louisianne Ballroom, Convention Center

Lecturers:
Monday & Tuesday: TBA
Wednesday & Thursday: Dr. James Forbes, New York, NY

Speakers:
Monday: Bishop Paul Morton, Presiding Bishop, Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship

Tuesday: Archbishop Roy Brown, Presiding Prelate, Pilgrim Assemblies, Brooklyn, NY

Wednesday: Rev. Sherman Young, Christ Harvest Full Gospel Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA

Thursday: Elder Willie James Campbell, St James COGIC, Chicago, IL

10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (Mon. - Thurs.)
Workshop Series III
Convention Center

12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Mon. - Thurs.)
National Mass Choir Rehearsal
Exhibit Hall - A, Convention Center

12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Mon. - Fri.)
Manufacturer's Showcase
Marriott Grand Ballroom

7:00 p.m. - 12:00 Midnight (Mon. - Fri.)
Nightly Musical Service Featuring GMWA Chapter Artists from across the Globe
Exhibit Hall - A, Convention Center

11:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. (Mon. - Fri.)
GMWA Youth Forum 2000
Youth favorites sharing nightly include: Donald Lawrence, Byron Cage, Ricky Dillard, Hezekiah Walker and a nightly guest host. Hall - B1, Convention Center

Monday: GMWA Youth Choirs, Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers, Out Of Eden, Grits, BBJ, Tarralyn Ramsey, Knowdaverbs

Tuesday: Kirk Franklin & One Nation Crew (INC) for their world wide album release, with special guests and Natalie Wilson & SOP.
Admission: $5.00

Wednesday: GMWA Youth Choirs, New Divine Destiny with John P Kee, Ametria, Pam & Dodi, Youth Edition, The Cortez Family

Thursday: GMWA Youth Choirs, Rev. John P. Kee & New Life Choir, Franklin "Bubby" Fann & Unlimited Praise, B. Chase Williams & Shabach, Olanda Draper's Associates.

Monday, August 14th, 2000

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Quartet Division Seminar
La Louisiane Ballroom, Convention Center

12:00 Midnight - 3:00 a.m.
Annual Evangelistic Board Service
Guest Speaker: TBA
New Orleans Marriott Grand Ballroom

Tuesday, August 15th, 2000

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Quartet Division Seminar
La Louisiane Ballroom, Convention Center
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Midnight Madness Sale
Exhibit Hall B2, Convention Center

12:00 Midnight - 3:00 a.m.
33rd Annual GMWA Fashion Show & Founders Day Kick-off
Musical Guests: Angela Spivey & The Voices Of Victory, Sister Cantaloupe. (Audience participation apparel color is silver.)
Grand Ballroom, Marriott Hotel.
Admission $10.00 Available at Registration in Exhibit Hall B2

Wednesday, August 16th, 2000
(Founders Day and T-Shirt Day)

12:00 Noon - 3:00 p.m.
Student Recital
Room 210, Convention Center

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Unsigned Quartet Artists Showcase - Part One
Rooms R06-R09, Convention Center

3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
GMWA 2000 Corporate Sponsor Showcase Presenting "The Tribute to the King Concert"

Hosted by: Edna Tatum, Richard Smallwood, Dottie Peoples, and Bishop Sam Williams

Artists: The Charles Fold Singers, Tarralyn Ramsey, The GMWA James Cleveland Chorus, The Kurt Carr Singers, Candi Staton, The Canton Spirituals, Brenda Waters, Dorothy Norwood, The L. A. Gospel Messengers, Tramaine Hawkins, The Might Clouds Of Joy and more.
La Louisiane Ballroom, Convention Center
Convention Delegates - $2.00 admission while seats last

3:00 p.m.
GMWA Scholarship Program (Thurston G. Frazier Contest)
Room 206, Convention Center

5:00 p.m.
Juanita C. Burns Scholarship Competition
Room 235, Convention Center

5:00 p.m.
GMWA Scholarship Program
Christian Compact Disc Contest
Room 206, Convention Center

8:30 p.m. - 12:00 Midnight
The 9th Annual GMWA Quartet Showcase - Part One.
Sponsored by Exclessia Booking Agency, the GMWA Quartet Auxiliary and others TBA.

An electrifying night of Gospel Music. Two day lineup includes: The Jackson Southernaires, The Canton Spirituals, The Christianaires, The Williams Brothers, Slim & The Supreme Angels, McDonald Sisters, Tommy Ellison & The 5 Singing Stars, Keith "Wonder" Boy Johnson & The Spiritual Voices, Troy Ramey & The Soul Searchers, Albertina Walker, The Brown Singers, The Violinaires, The Pilgrim Jubilees, Dorothy Norwood, Darrell McFadden, Carolyn Traylor, Leomia Boyd, The Pilgrim Wonders, The Brooklyn Allstars, The Windy City Spiritualaires, The Truthettes, The True Believers, Revive, The Drifters, The Racy Brothers, The Southern Sons, Second Chapter, Luther Barnes & The Sunset Jubilaires, Willie Neal Johnson & The Keynotes, The Bolton Brothers, The Flint Cavaliers, The Messengers, The Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Spencer Taylor & The Highway Q.C.s.

La Louisiane Ballroom, Convention Center Ballroom
Admission: 2-Day Ticket $20 - $12 adv. - $15 day of show
Tickets available at usual area outlets and the registration desk, Exhibit Hall - B2, Convention Center

12:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
GMWA Women's Night Service
Recording service of The GMWA Women Of Worship
Grand Ballroom, Marriott Hotel

Thursday, August 17, 2000

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Unsigned Quartet Artists Showcase - Part Two
Rooms R06-R09, Convention Center

3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
GMWA 2000 International Showcase Presenting Guest Artists representing The UK, Japan, Canada, Bahamas, The U.S. Virgin Islands and more TBA
Convention Delegates - FREE while seats last
La Louisiane Ballroom

6:00 p.m.
GMWA Drama Guild Play
Room 206, Convention Center

8:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
The 9th Annual GMWA Quartet Showcase - Part Two. Sponsored by Exclessia Booking Agency, the GMWA Quartet Auxiliary and others TBA. An electrifying night of Gospel Music. (For participating artists, see Wednesday schedule, above)
La Louisiane Ballroom, Convention Center Ballroom
Admission: 2-day ticket $20 - $12 adv. -$15 day of show
Tickets available at usual area outlets and the registration desk, Exhibit Hall - B1, Convention Center.

10:00 p.m. - 12:00 Midnight
GAG-GMWA Meet The Artists Autograph and Photo opportunity with Attending artists.
Participating National Labels
Room 208-210, Convention Center

11:00 pm - 1:30 am
The GospoCentric Showcase
Featuring: The McClurkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Kurt Carr & Singers
Host: Bishop Paul S. Morton
Hilton Grand Ballroom
For registered G.M.W.A Members

11:00 p.m. - 2:30 a.m.
Debutante Cotillion
Room R06-R09, Convention Center Ballroom

12:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
GMWA Men's Night Service and Live Recording Session of The Men of Promise
Grand Ballroom, Marriott Hotel

Friday, August 18th, 2000

GMWA 2000 Close Out Sale
Exhibit Hall - B2, Convention Center
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Academic Convocation and Thurston G. Frazier Memorial Chorale Concert
La Louisiane Ballroom, Convention Center

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
National Mass Choir Rehearsal and Recording
Grand Ballroom, Marriott Hotel

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
GMWA-Youth Jesus Jam 2000
Featured Artists: John P. Kee & New Life, 4th Elemynt, Kelli Williams, Lamont Jackson & A New Beginning, E. LaQuint Weaver & the Hallelujah Singers, Ametria, Spiritual Pieces, Michael Speaks, Mayrod, Adrian B. King & Reverence, The Born Again/Niaganrob Dance Ministry and more.
Hall - A, Convention Center (while seats last)

7:00 p.m.
National Mass Choir Concert
Finale Nightly Musical
Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center

9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
GMWA Youth and Young Adult Department
Live Concert and Recording Service
Grand Ballroom, Marriott Hotel
(immediately following mass choir & nightly musical)

Also, the Gospel Announcer's Guild meetings will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Monday to - Thursday in the Napoleon Ballroom & various rooms at the  Riverside Hilton Hotel.