SMC 2010 - A Delegate's Review
by Corey Malloy

Well it was that time again, where delegates from all over the country would come together in Detroit MI, for Dr. Dorinda Clark-Cole’s 12^th Annual Singers and Musicians Conference (SMC)! The week kicked off with a reception with our very own founder Dr. Dorinda Clark-Cole. The reception was a time of food and fellowship with the founder and the SMC friends and family. We got a great overview of what we were expecting to come in the week!

Each day, the conference started off with prayer led by Pastor John Delley. As singers and musicians we come to the altar and lay our gifts down before God and we leave them there until the end of the conference. We recognize that, we are not singers, musicians, preachers, etc, but we are “SEEKERS”, seeking the more of God. Prayer set the groundwork for everything else that was to come in the conference. We must be in constant communication with God daily.

There were many workshops throughout the week that were offered to us such as: choir decorum (Jacky Clark-Chisholm, Ron Kelly), praise and worship (Bethany Harris, Ted Winn, Jonathan Dunn), hip-hop dance class (Tracy Underwood , Shaun Cowherd), song writing (Joe Smith, Troy Sneed), spoken word (Janice Norwood), Musicians Corner (Twinkie Clark, John Ware, Wyneucco Washington & Syreeta Thompson), and sessions featuring record company executives from (Arrow Records). These sessions helped us as singers and musicians hone in on our craft and perfect it. God will perfect that which concerns us! After the workshops, we went into our general sessions featuring top gospel artist and industry personnel such as Brian Courtney Wilson, Vickie Winans, Pastor Spencer Ellis, Alex Ward, and Rodney Jerkins. These persons shared with us how they got started in the ministry, and how they got their “big break”. There was also a panel discussion featuring Adrian Warren and Gina Miller who shed light on how upcoming artist can get started with records deals.

The evening services were spectacular! Each night showcased upcoming artist through dance, song, mime, and instrumental music. Musical guest such as Brian Courtney Wilson, Tim Bowman, and Crystal Rucker blessed us with their individual ministry of song and instrumental music. It was so wonderful to see God use His people for HIS glory. And to top it off, Dr. Cole invites people who she feels can minister to us singers and musicians, and can impart a word into our life. The evening speakers for the week were Byron Cage, who let us know that we have to sing until it breaks; Jonathan Butler, who shared with us that it is important to tell our testimony, and Fred Hammond, who ministered about being humble and the importance of worship. At the end of each service, every singer and musician gleaned something that they could apply to their lives and take back to share with others.

On Saturday, we gathered together for the 2^nd Annual Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Legend’s Brunch, where we honored legends right in the city of Detroit. The honorees were: Twinkie Clark, Carol Cole, Bishop James L. Craig, The Late Bishop Charles A. Craig, III, Min. Michael Fletcher, Pastor Joseph Harris, Dr. Mable John, Rev. Rudolph Stansfield, Vickie Winans, and Bishop Andre Woods. This brunch displayed how instrumental these individuals were in gospel music today. After the brunch, we went straight into the New Artist Showcase which displays new and upcoming artist sharing their talent (dance, song, mime, instrumental, spoken word) before a panel of accomplished gospel artists and other industry personnel. It is here where constructive criticism is given to help the artist perfect their craft and become more effective. At the end of the showcase, winners were chosen based on different categories, and won a spot on Dr. Dorinda Clark-Cole’s TV and radio show.  Other events that took place were the 1^st Annual Youth New Artist Showcase and the Urban Café. And lastly, to culminate the conference, we ended by having an appreciation service for our very own founder, Dr. Dorinda Clark-Cole! We all came together and showered her with gifts and just showed how much we appreciate the vision she has for this SMC Conference. The big highlight at the service was when the SMC family presented Dr. Cole with a check for $5,000 for a new piano. It was a very touching moment! Last but not least, our founder graced the podium to give remarks and thank all who came out to support the conference and her vision that she has for singers and musicians.

Overall, this conference is such a blessing, not just to singers and musicians, but to anyone who desires to be an effective minstrel in whatever capacity they may serve in. The conference teaches us to keep and maintain a relationship with God by keeping HIM first in everything that we do. If we do this, everything else will fall in place. It is so much more than just singing and playing an instrument! This conference is all about putting the ministry back in the music! Kudos to all the people who worked so hard to put this conference together and make it such a huge success!! May God continue to bless each and every one of you! Prayerfully, those who were not able to attend  this year will be able to attend next year and be tremendously blessed by what SMC offers.

Corey Malloy

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