Music is a central component of the African American Church experience. That fact has never been lost on the African Methodist Episcopal Church, better known as the AME Church. Known for celebrating the Savior with exuberant praise and passionate worship, the denomination formed the Music & Christian Arts Ministry (MCAM) in 1992 as the national music department of the AME Church. With a mission to educate, elevate and expand the understanding and use of the arts in worship, MCAM also inspires excellence in the creative arts including visual arts, dance, drama and music. Every other year, this ministry gives those with a flair for the arts the opportunity to develop their gifts and hone their talents at a dynamic conference. The MCAM is presenting its International AME Church Music & Christian Arts Conference 2017 from Tuesday, August 15 – Friday, August 18, 2017 in Atlanta, GA.The International AME Church Music & Christian Arts Conference 2017 will feature gifted preachers, psalmists and dancers including Bishop Reginald Jackson, Bishop Anne Byfield, Melonie Daniels-Walker, L’Tanya Moore Copeland, Troy Bright, Jamarien Moore, Stephanie Butler Adams, Dr. Amanda Standard, Adrian Dunn and Rev. Anthony B. Vinson, Sr., the AME Church International Director of Music & Christian Arts. The Conference includes evening services, musical presentations, a CD release event and seminars just for those in the creative arts. Daily breakout sessions begin the morning of Wednesday, August 16, 2017, and are geared to music, dance and drama. Classes will inform attendees with topics like how to improve vocal technique, how to select music for your choir, how to build your ensemble and other relevant themes taught by experts in their respective fields. Afternoons will be dedicated to rehearsals for Friday night’s closing concert.
Rev. Vinson, Sr. encourages those with a love for the creative arts to attend the breakout sessions. He says, “I invite anyone with an interest in the arts to attend. The conference is not just for AME members but those desiring to learn more about worship and the arts. It’s going to be a spirit-filled, educational time of fellowship. The event will give creative people an opportunity to grow and will provide tools for them to go back to their respective churches to enhance their ministries locally.”
The Conference begins the evening of Tuesday, August 15th with an opening worship service. Bishop Reginald Jackson, leader of the 6th District of the AME Church, will be preaching that evening. The combined choirs of local AME churches will be singing and the dance ministry will be ministering as well. Another highlight of the conference will be Thursday’s Sacred Music and Spirituals Recital showcasing the talents of soprano Darshaya Oden and tenor Adrian Dunn. That same evening will feature a musical presentation called “The Glory Road Drama Production & Artist Showcase”, led by Drama Director David Mitchell, which will highlight local talent from the Atlanta area and other regions.
Friday night’s concert won’t just be a great time of worship, but the evening’s festivities will include a CD release concert. The project, Rejoice: Celebrating 200 Years of the AME Church, will officially drop that Friday evening. The project was presented at the General AME Conference in Philadelphia last July and contains songs written by members of AME churches. The concert will feature guest artists Melonie Daniels-Walker, Troy Bright, L’Tanya Moore Copeland, Darshaya Oden, Rev. Anthony Vinson, Sr. and many others.
