Spotlight on the Greater Cleveland Choral Chapter
At our upcoming show, “Blues, Gospel, and the Abstract Truth,” we’re delighted to have the Greater Cleveland Choral Chapter join us. Before the show, learn a little more about this Cleveland institution!
THE GREATER CLEVELAND CHORAL CHAPTER
of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, Inc.
“Serving God and the Community, through our Ministry of Music”
Founded in October 1975
From 1959 until 1975, the Prestonian Choral Ensemble represented the Cleveland area at the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, Inc. (“Convention or NCGCC”). In 1975 the NCGCC held the Convention in Cleveland, Ohio at the Sheraton Hotel, now known as the Renaissance on Public Square. For this convention a 500 hundred plus voice choir was formed. Out of this choir some members expressed the desire to become a part of the Convention, and, thus, in October 1975 the Greater Cleveland Choral Chapter (“GCCC”) was founded by Rev. Earl Preston, Jr.
They have hosted two national meetings of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses in 1975 and 1995. The GCCC has also hosted Alumni Retreats, National Board Meetings and Great Lakes Regional meetings as well. They have met continuously on Monday evenings over the past four decades even through the pandemic, when they met virtually.
The GCCC has been an integral part of the Cleveland Gospel Music community. They have sung in many venues such as Music Hall, Severance Hall (home of the famous Cleveland Orchestra), Trinity Cathedral (Episcopal), The Convention Center, The Plain Dealer Newspaper Annual Christmas event, Cleveland State University, and the Cleveland Institute of Music. The GCCC also has a relationship with the Cleveland Museum of Art, one of America’s top museums, and the Western Reserve Historical Society. They have sung for storefront churches, Gothic cathedrals and many denominations – from Church of God In Christ, Byzantine Catholic to Unitarian. They have sung for the International Council of Community Churches which was held in the historical Old Stone Church on Public Square.
They have shared with such luminaries as Albertina Walker and Inez Andres, and have also appeared on television programs as Morning Exchange on television station WEWS, our local ABC Network affiliates, as well as Bobby Jones Gospel. Many members sing in the Community Gospel Chorus with the Cleveland Orchestra in celebration of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. each January.
The GCCC has been heavily involved on the national level and has had members hold the following offices: Board of Directors, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Great Lakes Regional Representative, National Head Supervisor, Director of the Thomas Dorsey Mass Choir, National Pianist, National Chaplin, as well as several national positions of various departments within the NCGCC.
The Chapter, using as its motto “Serving God and the Community, through our Ministry of Music” has contributed to the success of several projects such as Angel Tree, which provides Christmas gifts for the children of incarcerated individuals. They have visited and sung at nursing homes, and hospitals and have participated in benefit programs throughout the city.
Rev. Dr. Earl Preston, Jr. served as the first president, followed by Mrs. Thelma Campbell-Brown and Mrs. Corene Robinson, affectionately known as “Madame,” and who was the longest serving President from 1980 to 2022. Currently Ms. Avis Lyons, an original member since 1975, serves as President.
The GCCC has recorded two projects, The Greater Cleveland Choral Chapter Live and Chapter Two, which was under the direction of Richard James Smith. Under his capable direction and insistence upon high standards, they have become one of Cleveland’s premier Gospel Choirs. Continuing upon the high standard of excellence, the current musical staff consists of the outstanding talents of Avis D. Graves, Leonard Burks, Rev. John B. Engram and Michael Keith Jester, all of whom are phenomenal writers, arrangers and directors.
For Booking information:
Ms. Avis Lyons, President, Greater Cleveland Choral Chapter
2153 Waynoka Road, Euclid, OH 44117
(216) 403-9717