76th Annual National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, Inc
Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas Nevada
August 2 – 7, 2009
The 76th Annual Session of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, Inc. will convene in Las Vegas Nevada at the Riviera Hotel Sunday, August 2nd through Friday, August 7th, 2009. Although the majority of convention activities will be held in the conference area of the Riviera Hotel the initial kick-off service that is a tribute to the founder, Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey, will be held at Second Baptist Church located at 500 Madison Avenue beginning at 4:00pm on Sunday, August 2nd. This tribute service is FREE and open to the public.
A myriad of gospel singers, ages 5-90 will be singing “Gospel on the STRIP”. The father of gospel music, Dr. Thomas Andrew Dorsey of Chicago, Illinois was the founder of NCGCC, the legacy continues year after year. Dr. Dorsey’s traditional gospel masterpiece “Precious Lord Take My Hand” has inspired the world. The convention president Bishop Kenneth H. Moales, Sr. stated that the week will be packed full of services, musicals, seminars and workshops. Included is the Artelia Hutchins Training Institute which specializes in voice training, piano, organ, choral directing, copy writing and publishing; new music seminars, drama, dance, choir decorum and other music and ministerial related classes are scheduled Tuesday – Friday morning.
There will be daily Word and Worship Service beginning at 11:00am Monday through Thursday. Pastor Nadia Parsons from New Antioch Church in Las Vegas will be preaching at the midday service on Monday, August 3rd.
There are nightly musicals, services and events Monday – Friday at 7:30pm. Guest artists for the week include Edwin Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Northeast, Southeast, Midwest and Great Lake Choral Chapters, Songs of Solomon from New York City, Thomas A. Dorsey Mass Choir, 49 Choral Unions from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indianapolis, Indiana, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nashville, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Portsmouth, Virginia, St. Louis, Missouri, Louisville, Kentucky, Houston, Texas, Niagara Falls, New York, Chicago, Illinois, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Washington, DC, Sarasota, Florida, Villa Rica, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, BET’s “Sunday Best”, Maurice Griffin of Chicago, Kyle & Kevin and God’s Chosen from St. Louis, MO, the Las Vegas Mass Choir, Shavonne Wells “Formerly with Kurt Karr Singers”, Minister Michael A. Lowery, Keyo, Jack Yates, Second Baptist Church Choir, Victory Baptist Church Choir, Mountain Top Faith Ministries Choir, Ken Young, DJ Thump and many more choirs, groups and soloists. Many of these choirs and individual artists will perform at the scheduled musical, Monday August 3, 2009 beginning at 7:30pm at the Riviera Hotel.
Another highlight will be Awards Night, which is scheduled for Tuesday August 4th at 7:30pm at the Riviera Hotel. Our local stars will shine just a little brighter as the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses will present several awards to outstanding people and businesses that have made a difference in the world of Gospel and Gospel Music. James R. Smith the Founder/Director of the Las Vegas Mass Choir and Minister of Music/Choir Director for Second Baptist Church, and The Answer Newspaper (Toni Terrell, Founder/Executive Director), and Craig Knight, Program Director of KCEP 88.1 Radio will all receive the Thomas A. Dorsey Pioneers in Gospel Music Awards for their Endorsement, Enhancement and Support of Gospel Music. Michael Shaw, Minister of Music/Choir Director for Victory Missionary Baptist Church will receive the highest award; the Thomas A. Dorsey Lifetime Achievement Gospel Music Award for his pioneering efforts and continual contributions to not only our community but to Gospel Music nationwide.
The National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses is open to the public with onsite registration for workshops, seminars and special training. The evening events, services and musicals are free to the public. For more information contact the Las Vegas hosting committee chairperson Byron Stringer (702) 834-3557 or publicist Lillian McMorris (702) 752-7385. You can also visit the NCGCC website for additional information www.ncgccinc.com.
