Over the years The Annual Singers & Musicians Conference has been a success. This year's conference was no exception because of the generosity of sponsors and the support of patrons such as yourself. We had a great time in inspiring & informative workshops, phenomenal showcases and exceptional, anointed spoken word. The SMC Choir did an exceptional job as usual, as did the Sermonic Soloists this year; Brian Courtney Wilson, Ted Winn and Crystal Rucker and musical guest Tim Bowman.

One thing that makes this conference unique is the opportunity given to musical ministers to deliver the gospel through spoken word. We had messages from Byron Cage, Jonathan Butler and Fred Hammond, who delivered powerful messages during the conference's evening sessions. These sermons were complimented by insightful discussions and presentations by guest speakers and panelists including; Brian Courtney Wilson, Vickie Winans, Adrian Warren, Gina Miller, Pastor Spencer Ellis, Alex "Asaph" Ward and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins.

This year's workshops were no different than those that preceded. We enjoyed workshops on choir decorum facilitated by Jacky Clark-Chisholm (Clark Sister and daughter of Gospel Music Trailblazer. Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark) & Ron Kelly (former member of The Whitfield Company). The Musicians Corner workshops were conducted by two time Grammy Winner, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, Gregory Troy and John Ware. The Praise and worship workshop also had some of the industry's best facilitating with the likes of Jonathan Dunn, Ted Winn and Bethany Harris. The same goes for the Orchestral session with Wyneucco Washington & Syreeta Thompson, the spoken word session with Janice Norwood, song writing sessions with Joe Smith and famed songwriter Troy Sneed, as well as the dance (hip hop & lithurgical sessions) featuring Shaun Cowherd and Tracy Underwood.

The conference also had the pleasure of honoring some of Detroit's greatest contributors to gospel music and the gospel industry in the second annual Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Legend's Brunch. This year's honorees gave nostalgic recounts of gospel history in Detroit and how it impacted gospel music's past, present and maps its future. The honorees included; Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, Minister Michael Fletcher, Pastor Rudolph Stansfield, Carol Cole, Dr. Mabel John, Vickie Winans, Bishop James Craig of The Craig Brothers, Pastor Joseph Harris and Bishop Andre Woods.

SMC is full of surprises with instruments of personal, spiritual and ministerial growth and an overall good time. If you missed this year's conference I hope you start planning for next year's. We hope it will be even bigger and better than anything you have ever experienced. To everyone that attended this year and all 11 years before, I want to thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you next year and hearing about how the conference has impacted your life and your ministry.

 

This Year's Sponsors