Hillsman Elected to Gospel Music Workshop Board; Local Artists Perform At Convention
Written by The Vine Staff
Thursday, 11 September 2008 03:21 - Last Updated Tuesday, 16 December 2008 09:15
Bowie State University professor Joan R. Hillsman of Suitland MD was elected
to the Board of Directors of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) in mid-August.
The elections took place at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville on the 41 st
Anniversary of the organization.
Hillsman who directs Bowie's award- winning gospel choir, joined the GMWA a year after it
formed and is a founder and assistant chapter representative of the Washington DC Chapter.
The late Gospel icon Rev. James Cleveland formed the group as a platform for singers and
musicians to meet, study and display their talents. It now has nearly 30,000 members in150
chapters across the country.
In addition to her work at Bowie, Hillsman has been minister of music at the New Southern Rock
Baptist Church in Washington for 48 years. She holds a doctorate in musicology from The
Union University in Cincinnati, specializing in gospel music, and she has published several
books. Her latest from McGraw Hill is “Gospel Music: An African American Art Form."
The GMWA convention also featured the release of the GMWA Mass Choir CD, “Live in
Orlando,” which includes a song written by local artist Kendall King.
King’s song “Be Still” features another local artist Earnest Pugh, as soloist. The 15-track CD
was produced by Pastor John P. Kee.
King taught the convention mass choir another of her songs, “We Bless Your Name,” for this
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Hillsman Elected to Gospel Music Workshop Board; Local Artists Perform At Convention
Written by The Vine Staff
Thursday, 11 September 2008 03:21 - Last Updated Tuesday, 16 December 2008 09:15
year’s recording, and she sang at several events throughout the week, including nightly
services, the Daily Bread, showcases, and praise and worship for the Gospel Announcers Guild
each morning alongside DC’s John “Bucky” Tillery.
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