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Show ie Special Edition REV. JAMES CLEVELAND MEMORIAL ““God is love and all is well’’ — Dr. == Mountain West Minoritity Charles G. Adams Tabernacle Service een Reporter re than 200, 000 Keeping Hope Alive as We Fulfill the Dream VOL. and Sentinel 1 NO. 14 AUGUST 15, 1991 Rev. Cleveland memorialized at impressive ceremonies The recently organized Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Gospel Music iby,Bee NE setee al. ga Workshop of America, Inc. opened the convention in a welcome program and included a very special and impressive memorial tribute and service in honor of the late Rev. James Cleveland, founder and president of the convention. Rev. France A. Davis, chapter president, presided as master of ceremonies and conducted the memorial service at the 24th annual convention of the workshop and convention. Ms. Betty Sawyer, Office of Black Affairs of the Governor’s Advisory Board, welcomed the delegates in behalf of the state of Utah. Also appearing on the program was the Rev. Alvin Brown, chaplain, Hill Air Force Base, ‘*Alleluia.’’ Mormon The Thurston and Tabernacle Choir Frazier Memorial Chorale performed together for the first time. Historic ‘Lord’s Day’ in Zion ‘‘T have for many years admired, loved, and desired to sing with the opened to the workshop’s ‘*Sunday morning service.’’ The Rev. Reatha Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and never Glover, thought that I would live to see that ‘day. But I did. I sang with the Taber- Board, gave for the first time ever “‘a nacle Choir.’’ These were the words of responded by going immediately to worship and praise. Harold Gregory, an administrative assistant to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, invoked God’s blessing on the services. After a warm greeting from Mr. Wendell Smoot, president of the Mormon choir, he introduced a black woman who is a member of the Tabernacle Choir and serves on the advisory board of the local Rocky Mountain a lady from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who, with joyful tears streaming over her face, exclaimed as she exited the door of the world famous Mormon Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Thurston Frazier Memorial Chorale appeared on national television (CBS) and sang with the Mormon Choir “‘Alleluia’’ and another great gospel song, ‘‘Every Day is a Day of Thanksgiving.’’ The chorale is a mixture of some of the greatest singers on earth. They come from all over the U.S.A. and are the ‘‘cream’’ of the membership of the more than 25,000 of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. This group meets only once a year to sing in public, but rehearsals are held periodically, said Dr. William Sims, first vice president of the workshop and retired professor of music academics at Bishop College in Texas. ‘‘Many people came up to me and said, “We have waited so long to see this day in Utah and we are so happy to have you here,’ with tears of joy and happiness,’’ said Mr. Kenneth L. Robinson, coordinator. He is retired from the Thurston G. Frazier Chorale from Minneapolis, Minn., and minister of music at the St. James A.M.E. Church in St. Paul, Minn. On this Lord’s day, from Temple Square down the streets, in the Salt Palace and everywhere, the hotels, restaurants people from all walks of life, the church, political and government, black, white, Hispanic, Oriental, were shaking hands of congratulations and expressing fellowship and joy after an intermission for the broadcast program. The doors to the Tabernacle were chairperson, Evangelistic call to worship.’’ The congregation Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Mrs. Betty Bridgefort. She is the wife of Mr. Bridgefort, the first black man to be ordained in the priesthood of the Mormon Church after a revelation to the late President Spencer W. Kimball, prophet, seer, and revelator of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Governor Norman H. Bangerter read from the Bible the 150th number of the Psalms and said, ‘‘Praise the Lord.”’ Again the congregation rose to its feet in respect to the governor’s greetings and welcome. The governor was accompanied to this meeting by Mrs. Colleen Bangerter. The Rev. Kenneth Ulmer, second vice president of the workshop and master of ceremonies, presented the pre- selected speaker, the Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams, pastor, Hartford Memorial Utah. Inspirational words of welcome we're presented by religious and communiity leaders: Ms. Jeanetta Williams of tlhe NAACP, Salt Lake branch; Mr. Lenoris Bush, UOIC; and the Rev. Clifton Wilkes, pastor of New Pilgrim Baptist Church in Salt Lake City and the Intermountain General Baptist Association of Churches. Greetings of welcome also included Dr. Ron Coleman, associate vice president, University of Utah. ‘‘The father of gospel music,’’ as the Rev. Cleveland was affectionately known and referred to, was remembered for a span of more than 50 years of performing in churches, concert halls, and auditoriums all over . the world. He founded the Gospel Music Workshop of America and built | into more than a performance presenit with many other renowned singers, tation to what it is today. musicians, directors, and announcers “Ms. Joyce M. at SSSA the program with the Rev. France Davis. 2,000-plus musicians to join Mass Choir More than 2,000 gospel musicians will join forces and voices this week as part of the Gospel Music Workshop of America’s Mass Choir. The professional and amateur singers, keyboardists, directors, and composers from some 200 GMWA chapters across the country are meeting this week in Salt Lake City at GMWA\’s 24th annual convention. The convention, founded in 1968 by the late gospel great Rev. James Cleveland, includes academic courses in some 40 different areas, nightly musical concerts featuring choirs, soloists, and groups from various regions of the country, and the Gospel Excellence Awards. But the heart of the convention is the Mass Choir, according to Rev. Donald Vails, one of three Mass Choir of Savoy Records, calls a GMWA release ‘‘a sure business company has produced bet.’’ His numerous Workshop albums, many of which have made Billboard’s Top 10 and garnered Grammy nominations. Tremaine Hawkins to join with Ward Singers at awards Gospel music diva Tremaine Hawkins will join the legendary Ward Singers, contemporary rising stars Commissioned, and the 2,000-voice Gospel Music Workshop of America National Mass Choir at the 11th annual Gospel Music Excellence Awards. The awards, black gospel music’s equivalent of the Grammy, caps the 24th annual convention of the world’s largest music organization. GMWA’s founder, the late Rev. James Cleveland, said the awards were coordinators. ‘“This convention is Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan. developed to allow black gospel lovers about music,’’ Vails said, “‘and the The sermonic hymn was presented to recognize and honor their own. Mass Choir is where music happens. ”’ by the namesake group of the founder Groups, choirs, and soloists are of the convention and the king of The choir rehearses three hours dai- gospel, the late Rev. James Cleveland, ly, Monday through Thursday, to learn the Cleveland Singers. new compositions submitted by ‘*Sing children!’’ ‘‘Praise the Lord!”’ workshop members. ‘“To God be the glory!’’ “‘I love this!’’ On Friday, the group records an | and much more were heard all over the . album that has historically ranked . the building. Symphony Hall was the setting for top of the gospel music charts. Milton Biggham, the pr sident Continued on page 7 nominated in 26 categories and more than 25,000 gospel music devotees are given the opportunity to vote for the best in the business. **This is where our own stars shine,”’ said Excellence Awards coordinator Al ‘*The Bishop’’ Hobbs. *‘Too often, the people who give out music awards know nothing about the music art form. That is definitely not the case with the Excellence Awards. The people who decide are the people who know and love gospel music.”’ The awards are Friday, August 16, 7 p.m. at the Salt Palace’s Exhibit Hall I, 74th annual session of Intermountain Baptist Association held at Calvary See story on page |
