NCGCC – OUR HISTORY
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Our Founding
As Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey traveled, the popularity of Gospel choirs or choruses began to spread throughout the country. Through this, Dr. Dorsey saw a need to organize these choirs collectively into unions. As such, he founded the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses (NCGCC) in 1932. Increased awareness of NCGCC gave rise to organizing a convention. Dr. Dorsey contacted many Gospel choir directors out of town to accomplish this. He, Professor Theodore Frye, Magnolia Lewis Butts, Sallie Martin, and Henry J. Carruthers organized the first convention in 1933. Unions from Chicago, IL, St. Louis, MO, and Cincinnati, OH, were the first to join the NCGCC. The organizers published the first bylaws that year and elected Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey president. |
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Our Shaping
In 1934, NCGCC held its second convention session in St. Louis, MO. There, the founders set the foundation for the growth that is enjoyed by members today. For example, during the 1930s, Magnolia Butts established NCGCC’s Scholarship Department, Founders’ Day, Artists’ Night, and Consecration Service. Theodore Frye started the Vesper service. Willie Mae Ford Smith also founded the current Soloist (Council) Bureau. As the convention grew, there became a need to establish a Youth Department. Roberta Martin became the first Junior Department Supervisor.
Though NCGCC was expanding, annual meetings were still primarily held above the Mason-Dixon line and concentrated mainly in the Midwest (Chicago, St. Louis, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, Minneapolis, and Detroit). That changed in 1953 when the NCGCC met in Memphis, TN, for its twentieth session.
NCGCC inspired such gospel greats as Della Reese, Dinah Washington, James Cleveland, Aretha Franklin, Louise Shropshire, Mel Carter, and more. In 1967, the convention established the Alumni Chorale music department in Houston, TX. NCGCC moved from holding annual conventions at home to hotels since it grew in size and stature.
Perpetuating Our Legacy
In 1993, Bishop Kenneth H. Moales, Sr. was elected National President of NCGCC at the 60th annual convention session in Chicago, IL, following Dr. Dorsey’s death. He had served for many years in various roles, including Youth and Young Adult President, Junior Board Member, and 1st Vice President before succeeding Dr. Dorsey.
During his tenure, Bishop Moales expanded and formalized NCGCC’s Artelia Hutchins Training Institute to offer music training certifications and credits. In addition, he founded the concept of regional conferences for music aggregations to meet, share, and expose neighboring communities and states to NCGCC. His vision proved very successful, as the number of affiliated members increased significantly. Bishop Moales remained President until his untimely death in 2010.
Today, internationally renowned operatic singer and Stellar Award Gospel Hall of Fame Award recipient Dr. Marabeth E. Gentry continues the legacy of Dr. Dorsey, its founders, and Bishop Moales as National President of NCGCC, with over 50 chapters nationwide and about 2500 members globally.
In 1934, NCGCC held its second convention session in St. Louis, MO. There, the founders set the foundation for the growth that is enjoyed by members today. For example, during the 1930s, Magnolia Butts established NCGCC’s Scholarship Department, Founders’ Day, Artists’ Night, and Consecration Service. Theodore Frye started the Vesper service. Willie Mae Ford Smith also founded the current Soloist (Council) Bureau. As the convention grew, there became a need to establish a Youth Department. Roberta Martin became the first Junior Department Supervisor.
Though NCGCC was expanding, annual meetings were still primarily held above the Mason-Dixon line and concentrated mainly in the Midwest (Chicago, St. Louis, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, Minneapolis, and Detroit). That changed in 1953 when the NCGCC met in Memphis, TN, for its twentieth session.
NCGCC inspired such gospel greats as Della Reese, Dinah Washington, James Cleveland, Aretha Franklin, Louise Shropshire, Mel Carter, and more. In 1967, the convention established the Alumni Chorale music department in Houston, TX. NCGCC moved from holding annual conventions at home to hotels since it grew in size and stature.
Perpetuating Our Legacy
In 1993, Bishop Kenneth H. Moales, Sr. was elected National President of NCGCC at the 60th annual convention session in Chicago, IL, following Dr. Dorsey’s death. He had served for many years in various roles, including Youth and Young Adult President, Junior Board Member, and 1st Vice President before succeeding Dr. Dorsey.
During his tenure, Bishop Moales expanded and formalized NCGCC’s Artelia Hutchins Training Institute to offer music training certifications and credits. In addition, he founded the concept of regional conferences for music aggregations to meet, share, and expose neighboring communities and states to NCGCC. His vision proved very successful, as the number of affiliated members increased significantly. Bishop Moales remained President until his untimely death in 2010.
Today, internationally renowned operatic singer and Stellar Award Gospel Hall of Fame Award recipient Dr. Marabeth E. Gentry continues the legacy of Dr. Dorsey, its founders, and Bishop Moales as National President of NCGCC, with over 50 chapters nationwide and about 2500 members globally.
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MEET OUR PRESIDENT - DR. MARABETH GENTRY
Dr. Gentry, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, is the daughter of the late Joshua and Geneva Gentry. She is a graduate of Harris-Stowe State University and a Distinguished Alumnus of the university. Dr. Gentry also received a Master of Arts in Music from Webster University and an Honorary Doctorate from Easter Theological Seminary. She was selected twice as a Who's Who Among American Teachers and is a retired educator from the Saint Louis Public School System after 32 years of service.
In addition to her public service, Dr. Gentry is known as a world-acclaimed psalmist. She has appeared on radio and television programs locally, nationally, and internationally and has traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad. Dr. Gentry has recorded one album and appeared in many others. Nationally, she became known as a multi-talented singer who sang Gospel, Opera, Broadway, and Soul Tunes, which captivated the audience with her melodious sounds. She later became known as "The Sanctified Opera Singer." |
In 2012, Dr. Gentry was elected National President of NCGCC at the 60th annual convention session in Washington, DC. Before her elevation, she had served as 1st Vice President for almost twenty years alongside the late NCGCC President Bishop Kenneth H. Moales, Sr. Under her leadership and vision, NCGCC membership and awareness of the convention, including its place in history, have increased.
Dr. Gentry is a two-time Stellar Award recipient. In February 2016, Dr. Gentry received the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award at the 31st Annual Stellar Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada. And in March 2018, Dr. Gentry was inducted into the Stellar Awards Honors Hall of Fame during the 33rd Annual Stellar Awards.
Other notable awards include the Legacy Award (2016) from the Saint Louis County Chapter of the NAACP; the National Black Radio Hall of Fame Award (2016) for continuing the traditions of Gospel Music; and the Legacy Award (2017) from the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Gateway Metropolitan Chapter in appreciation of her outstanding community service.
Dr. Gentry is currently the President for When Singers Meet, Inc. ®, a Gospel music performance organization that she's partnered with The Salvation Army for over 40 years. In addition, she is an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and has received many awards and recognition from civic, community, educational, and religious national organizations for her involvement. She credits all accomplishments to God's presence and enjoys reading and cooking.
Dr. Gentry is a two-time Stellar Award recipient. In February 2016, Dr. Gentry received the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award at the 31st Annual Stellar Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada. And in March 2018, Dr. Gentry was inducted into the Stellar Awards Honors Hall of Fame during the 33rd Annual Stellar Awards.
Other notable awards include the Legacy Award (2016) from the Saint Louis County Chapter of the NAACP; the National Black Radio Hall of Fame Award (2016) for continuing the traditions of Gospel Music; and the Legacy Award (2017) from the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Gateway Metropolitan Chapter in appreciation of her outstanding community service.
Dr. Gentry is currently the President for When Singers Meet, Inc. ®, a Gospel music performance organization that she's partnered with The Salvation Army for over 40 years. In addition, she is an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and has received many awards and recognition from civic, community, educational, and religious national organizations for her involvement. She credits all accomplishments to God's presence and enjoys reading and cooking.
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